John Davis (Bill) Billingsley left Benton Heights High School in 1943 to join the US Navy. He achieved a rank of PHM 2/C and participated in the invasion of Southern France. He was awarded an American Area Medal, Eur-African-Mid East Medal and Star, and a World War II Victory Medal.
Billingsley and his wife Billie have two children -- John D. Billingsley, Jr. and Vickie Pope. They also have three grandchildren -- Amy Morton, Brian Billingsley, and Chanda Thomas -- and three great-grandchildren -- Bradley Morton, Abigail Morton and Ashton Thomas.
After the war, Billingsley returned to Union County after being diecharged from the service and went to work as a purchasing agent for a New York City construction company and, later, an aviation firm. Since World War II, he has been "enjoying life with my family."