Senator John W. Billingsley View All Years

DR. JOHN BILLINGSLEY

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable John W. Billingsley, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Dr. John W. Billingsley was born in Lenexa, Kansas, November 11, 1889. His father was Reverend L.K. Billingsley, a Methodist minister. In 1915, he married Mable Smith of Indianola, Iowa. Mrs. Billingsley preceded him in death; Dr. Billingsley passed away November 9, 1980, at Skiff Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Billingsley graduated from East Des Moines high school in 1906; from Simpson college, Indianola, Iowa, in 1910 with the degree of bachelor of arts; and from Western Reserve University school of medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914, with the degree of doctor of medicine. He was an intern at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1914 and 1915. He was first lieutenant, medical corps, regular army, during World War I, serving fifteen months in France and Germany. He served as a member of the surgical staff at Skiff Memorial Hospital, Newton, Iowa.

Dr. Billingsley was a life member of the Iowa Medical Society, of which he was president in 1959 and 1960, vice president, trustee and was the recipient of the Society’s merit award. He was head of the Jasper County civilian defense health services in the 1950’s, and had also served on the state board of medical examiners.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 111, of which he served as commander and Newton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1655.

Dr. Billingsley was a member of the Iowa Senate from 1935 to 1939, representing the twenty-ninth district of Jasper county. He is survived by his two sons, William Kirk Billingsley of Boulder, Colorado, and Dr. John Smith Billingsley of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and six grandchildren.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable Dr. John W. Billingsley, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the Senate by this resolution would express its appreciation of his services to his community, state and nation and tender its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to each member of his family.

JOE BROWN, Chairperson

MICK LURA

BASS VAN GILST