Linwood Wilson Billings

Linwood Wilson Billings, 91, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, who participated in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Normandy as a member of the 1st Infantry Division during World War II, and went on to complete 29 years of active duty, died October 18th of natural causes. Colonel Billings entered active duty on June 2, 1940 when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. Following World War II, his career took him to numerous locations throughout the United States and included overseas assignments in the Republic of China, Turkey, the Philippine Islands, and Vietnam. His final assignment was in the G-3, Third U.S. Army at Fort McPherson, in Atlanta, Ga. Colonel Billings was a native of South Berwick, Maine and a 1940 graduate of University of New Hampshire in Durham where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. In 1957, he graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During the mid 1950’s, he served as the Assistant to the Secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. His decorations included the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, European-African-Middle East medal with arrowhead device and 8 battle stars, the Vietnam Service medal with 3 battle stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Upon retirement from the Army, he and his wife of 56 years, Clara Sayre Billings, moved to Orlando, Florida to enjoy the warmer winters. Colonel Billings remained active in the community and served on the Orange County Planning Commission during Disney World’s expansion. He and his wife relocated to Northern Virginia in 1994 to be near their children. Clara passed away in April of 1996. Survivors include his daughter, Linda Billings Evans and her husband David of Oak Hill, VA; his son, Mark Wilson Billings and his wife Ann of Manassas, VA; and one granddaughter Victoria Evans Parra and her husband Vicente of Arlington, VA. A service will be held Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Fort Myer Chapel followed by interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Linwood Wilson Billings

January 9, 1919 - October 18, 2010