Legislator and Jurist. The son of Governor Franklin Billings, he graduated from Harvard University in 1943. He failed his military induction physical, so he joined the American Field Service as an ambulance driver. He served with the British Eighth Army and 6th Armoured Division, was wounded at the Battle of Monte Casinno, and earned the Purple Heart and British Empire Medal. He graduated from the University of Virginia Law School. A Republican, he served in several appointed offices, including Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Vermont Senate, Executive Clerk to Governor Joseph Johnson, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (chief assistant) to Governor Robert Stafford, and Judge of the Hartford Municipal Court. He served in the Vermont House from 1961 to 1965, and was Speaker in his final term. During his Speakership the Vermont House conformed to federal proportional representation requirements, moving from "one town, one vote" and over 240 members to 150 elected by district. He then became a Superior Court Judge. He was a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1975 to 1983, and Chief Justice from 1983 to 1984. In 1984 he was appointed US District Judge, and served until assuming senior status in 1994.
Legislator and Jurist. The son of Governor Franklin Billings, he graduated from Harvard University in 1943. He failed his military induction physical, so he joined the American Field Service as an ambulance driver. He served with the British Eighth Army and 6th Armoured Division, was wounded at the Battle of Monte Casinno, and earned the Purple Heart and British Empire Medal. He graduated from the University of Virginia Law School. A Republican, he served in several appointed offices, including Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Vermont Senate, Executive Clerk to Governor Joseph Johnson, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (chief assistant) to Governor Robert Stafford, and Judge of the Hartford Municipal Court. He served in the Vermont House from 1961 to 1965, and was Speaker in his final term. During his Speakership the Vermont House conformed to federal proportional representation requirements, moving from "one town, one vote" and over 240 members to 150 elected by district. He then became a Superior Court Judge. He was a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1975 to 1983, and Chief Justice from 1983 to 1984. In 1984 he was appointed US District Judge, and served until assuming senior status in 1994.
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