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 | August 21, 1921 Kennett, Missouri |
| Died | May 23, 1991 (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.