Caption: John Billingsley prepares for a shot on the scene of an assignment for WLOS News 13. Press release here:
SPINDALE (March 16, 2010) – John Billingsley’s work in photojournalism was far from finished. His friends, family and coworkers hope a new scholarship will help many others continue his work.
Billingsley, who would have turned 28 on March 18, fell to his death in an airshaft of a Charlotte hotel in January.
The accident stunned Billingsley’s coworkers at WLOS News 13, the ABC affiliate in Asheville.
He had worked at the station for the greater part of his career after earning degrees from Isothermal Community College in Broadcast Production Technology in 2002 and from Appalachian State University in Communications in 2004. He started as a video editor and later became a news photographer and photojournalist.
“John had a passion for the news and he loved what he did for a living,” said Russ Bowen, a News 13 anchor and reporter who worked closely with Billingsley over the years. “I really don’t think John was finished with his life’s work. And this scholarship will create an opportunity for others to help carry out his legacy. It’s really important to try to create something positive out of this horrific tragedy.”
After Bowen and some of his colleagues at the station decided they wanted to do something in Billingsley’s memory, he approached John’s parents, Bob and Anne Billingsley of Bostic.
“It’s just amazing that the station wanted to do something like this for John,” said Anne. “They really are like a family and I know that John would be very pleased. It’s given us so much comfort to find out how well regarded John was by all of the people whose lives he had touched over the years.”
Once they spoke, Bowen and the Billingsleys decided a scholarship in memory of John would be a fitting tribute.
“John got so much out of his time at Isothermal,” said Anne. “Jay Coomes, one of John’s main teachers, was such an inspiration to him. John wanted to learn everything he could and he got off to a great start here. Being a native of Ellenboro and a graduate of East Rutherford High School, he just felt a kinship to Isothermal.”
During his time at Isothermal, Billingsley received the News Producer of the Year Award. He also worked as an intern in the WLOS News 13 Rutherford County Bureau, which is housed on the college’s campus.
“John had a passion for videography, a zeal for photography and a very good eye,” said Coomes, a Broadcast Production Technology instructor at Isothermal. “One of John’s greatest talents, though, was his ability to put people at ease when he was interviewing them. You can’t really teach that – how to make someone comfortable when there is a camera in their face, often in stressful situations. He had a gift for it. Hopefully, this scholarship will help students follow in John’s footsteps for years to come.”
Billingsley’s mother recalled a proud moment in John’s short career that exemplified Coomes’ assertion.
She spoke about Michaela Blanton, the widow of slain state trooper, Shawn Blanton, and the mother of Tye Blanton, the couple’s son who died as an infant.
“Michaela came to John’s visitation,” said Anne. “She told me how John always made her feel comfortable when she was sitting through those extremely difficult court appearances. I just felt really proud that John was able to help bring some peace to someone in that kind of a situation.”
The scholarship was set up with the assistance of college administrators and donors are being sought now.
The scholarship will cover tuition for a second-year Broadcast Production Technology student at Isothermal. It is hoped that donations from Billingsley’s family and friends will sustain the scholarship for years to come.
Preference will be given to residents of Rutherford County. When possible, the scholarship recipient will take part in cooperative learning opportunities with WLOS News 13.
Contributions may be made to the scholarship fund by sending a check to Isothermal Community College, attention: John Wallace Billingsley Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 804, Spindale, NC 28160.
For more information, contact the college’s Financial Aid office at 828-286-3636, ext. 491.