Macon Leader Dies at 82

Albert Billingslea was a longtime leader in Macon and Bibb County. On Sunday, Billingslea passed away.

He was one of the first African-American men to serve on the Bibb County Board of Commissioners after being elected in 1980. He served for 16 years.

Friends of Billingslea say he made a mark in many areas of the community.

“And he and I worked real well together, as a matter of fact he was my vice chairman of the board and we served many, many years together…just a real good guy,” said Former Chairman of Bibb County Board of Commissioners Larry Justice.

He founded Billingslea Construction Company and was always willing to lend a hand or provide ideas for improvement around the city according to colleagues.

Macon Water Authority Representative Frank Patterson says, “I’ll miss his friendship. I’ll miss him calling me and saying ‘Hey boy, you got to do something about this. And usually if you talk to him and you explain things to him he’ll either come to your way of thinking or you finally come around to his way of thinking.”

Billingslea was a Macon native and grew up in the Pleasant Hill area.
According to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones, Billingslea died of natural causes.