William Howard Billings

William H. Billings
Chief Justice of Missouri
In office July 1, 1987 – June 30, 1989
Preceded by	Andrew Jackson Higgins
Succeeded by	Charles Blakey Blackmar
Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri
In office October 1, 1982[1] – May 23, 1991
Appointed by	Christopher S. "Kit" Bond
Succeeded by	Duane Benton
Personal details
Born	(1921-08-21)August 21, 1921 Kennett, Missouri
Died	May 23, 1991(1991-05-23) (aged 69) Jefferson City, Missouri
Spouse	Wilda Billings
Alma mater	University 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. 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.