William H. Billings
Chief Justice of Missouri
In office
July 1, 1987 – June 30, 1989
Preceded byAndrew Jackson Higgins
Succeeded byCharles Blakey Blackmar
Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri
In office
October 1, 1982[1] – May 23, 1991
Appointed byChristopher S. "Kit" Bond
Succeeded byDuane Benton
Personal details
Born(1921-08-21)August 21, 1921
Kennett, Missouri
DiedMay 23, 1991(1991-05-23) (aged 69)
Jefferson City, Missouri
SpouseWilda Billings
Alma materUniversity of Missouri School of Law

William Howard Billings (August 21, 1921 – May 23, 1991) was a judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Prior to his appointment by then-Governor Kit Bond, he had been a member of the Missouri Court of Appeals in Springfield, and before that a circuit court judge; both times he was appointed by Democratic Governor Warren Hearnes.[2] Judge Billings was noted for his hard work ethic and his unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards expected of judges; however, he was found by a federal judge to have violated the court's canon of ethics by telephoning an expert without the consent of the parties' attorneys.[2] He was also a staunch opponent of allowing cameras into courtrooms,[3] and once threw out two journalists from the Missouri Supreme Court Building.[2] He died less than two months before he was supposed to retire, under Missouri's age limit for judges.

References

  1. ↑ Official Manual of Missouri, 1985-1986
  2. 1 2 3 Terry Ganey, "William H. Billings, Supreme Court judge appointed in 1982; Was to retire in August." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 24, 1991.
  3. ↑ Tim Poor, "Cameras seek day in court; Electronic coverage stirs interest and controversy." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jul. 23, 1990.
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