Jack Billion
{{short description|American politician (1939–2023)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Jack Billion
|state_house = South Dakota
|district = 13th
|term_start = January 1993
|term_end = January 1997
|birth_date = {{birth date|1939|3|4}}
|birth_place = Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
|death_date = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|2023|2|25|1939|3|4}}}}
|death_place = Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
|party = Democratic
|spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Linda Lambur|1962||}}|{{marriage|Deb Billion|1980}}}}
|children = 7
|education = Loras College (BS)
Loyola University, Chicago (MD)
|branch = United States Air Force
|rank = Major
|serviceyears = 1969–1971
}}
John "Jack" Joseph Billion (March 4, 1939 – February 25, 2023) was an American politician and physician who was the 2006 Democratic Party candidate for Governor of South Dakota and served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 13th district from 1993 to 1997.
Early years
John Joseph Billion was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on March 4, 1939.{{cite web|url = https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/john-jack-billion|title = John "Jack" Joseph Billion|website = Miller Funeral Home|accessdate = March 14, 2023}} He was the third of nine children of Henry and Evelyn Billion.{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Tracey |date=2023-04-19 |title=Pioneer in Arthroscopy Dr. John Joseph Billion Dies at 83 |url=http://ryortho.com/2023/04/pioneer-in-arthroscopy-dr-john-joseph-billion-dies-at-83/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Orthopedics This Week |language=en-US}}
Education
Billion attended elementary and high school in Sioux Falls. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1957. He received his BA degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and was admitted to the Loyola University Chicago in August 1960. He was awarded his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1964 and began his internship and residency training at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois.
Career
After completing his orthopedic residency in 1969, Billion served two years in the United States Air Force as a Major.{{Cite web |date=2013-05-06 |title=Jack Billion receives honorary DWU degree |url=https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/jack-billion-receives-honorary-dwu-degree |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Mitchell Republic |language=en}} He returned to Sioux Falls in 1971 to begin his orthopedic surgery practice. Billion practiced as a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon from 1971 through 1997.
Billion formerly chaired the Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) Board of Trustees, and in 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from DWU.
Political career
In 1992, Billion was elected, along with fellow Democrat Linda Barker, as one of two South Dakota State Representatives from the Sioux Falls-based 13th District.{{cite web |url=http://sdsos.gov/content/viewcontent.aspx?cat=elections&pg=/elections/pastelections_electioninfo92_generalelectionLeg.shtm |title= South Dakota Secretary of State, Steve Barnett|website=sdsos.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221700/http://sdsos.gov/content/viewcontent.aspx?cat=elections&pg=%2Felections%2Fpastelections_electioninfo92_generalelectionLeg.shtm |archive-date=2014-02-01}} Billion was re-elected in 1994. In 1996, Billion declined to seek a third term in the State House, instead choosing to run for the State Senate from the 13th District. However, he lost to Republican Kermit Staggers by an 876-vote margin.{{cite web |url=http://sdsos.gov/content/viewcontent.aspx?cat=elections&pg=/elections/pastelections_electioninfo96_GElegislative.shtm |title= South Dakota Secretary of State, Steve Barnett|website=sdsos.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221750/http://sdsos.gov/content/viewcontent.aspx?cat=elections&pg=%2Felections%2Fpastelections_electioninfo96_GElegislative.shtm |archive-date=2014-02-01}} In 2006, Billion re-entered politics and emerged as the Democratic nominee for Governor of South Dakota in 2006.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-27 |title=John ‘Jack’ Billion passes away at 83 |url=https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/02/27/john-jack-billion-passes-away-83/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Dakota News Now |language=en}} He selected Rapid City historian Eric Abrahamson as his running mate,{{Cite web |last=Mercer |first=Bob |title=PACs weighed in on abortion, primaries |url=https://www.thepublicopinion.com/story/news/local/2006/06/24/pacs-weighed-in-on-abortion-primaries/46008829/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=The Public Opinion |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2006-11-02 |title=South Dakota governor's race seems to favor incumbent Republican |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2006/11/01/sdgov |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=MPR News |language=en}} but was defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican governor Mike Rounds.
Personal life
Billion married Linda Lambur in 1962, and they had five children. In 1980, he married his second wife, Deborah, and they had two children. He died at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on February 25, 2023, at the age of 83.{{cite web |last=Soulek |first=Lauren |last2=Mayer |first2=Eric |date= |title=Jack Billion, 2006 Democratic Gov. candidate dead at 83 |url=https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/jack-billion-2006-democratic-gov-candidate-dies/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=KELO-TV}} He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.{{Cite web |title=JOHN JOSEPH BILLION's Memorial |url=https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JOHNJOSEPHBILLION/54C09D |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.vlm.cem.va.gov |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Jim Abbott}}
{{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for Governor of South Dakota|years=2006}}
{{s-aft|after=Scott Heidepriem}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Billion, Jack}}
Category:20th-century American physicians
Category:American United Methodists
Category:Loyola University Chicago alumni
Category:Democratic Party members of the South Dakota House of Representatives
Category:Politicians from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Category:Physicians from South Dakota
Category:Military personnel from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Category:United States Air Force officers
Category:20th-century members of the South Dakota Legislature