Headlines

WILX Mobile Site >> Headlines

Send Soldier from Michigan Killed in Afghanistan

All fields are required

Back to Home

Soldier from Michigan Killed in Afghanistan

Posted: 5:35 PM Oct 16, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

The Pentagon is reporting the death of a West Michigan high school graduate in an insurgent attack in Afghanistan.
Thirty-year-old Army Sgt. Robert J. Billings died Saturday of wounds from an improvised explosive device blast in Spin Boldak. Billings listed his hometown as Clarksville, Va.
WOOD-TV says he graduated in 2001 from Morley-Stanwood High School. It's in Mecosta County's Deerfield Township, 40 miles north-northeast of Grand Rapids.
WZZM-TV says he joined the Army in 2005 and served in Iraq as well.
Ex-teacher Tim Paczewski tells WXMI-TV that Billings had "a lot of determination" and was "very goal-oriented" and was "very likable" and friendly.
Billings was part of the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.