Robert Emory Billingsley Sr.

Honorable Robert Emory Billingsley, Sr, 89, of Franklin passed away on November 8, 2026 at UPMC Passavant – McCandless with his family at his side. Born on May 27, 1937 in Utica, PA, he was the son of the late Wilbert Orville and Leona Phillips Billingsley.

Robert graduated from Franklin Area High School in 1955. He then joined the United States Army where he proudly served from July 1955 to April 1957. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he worked for Franklin Steel and was also a driver and an assistant for Senator Richard Frame. He attended night school at the University of Pittsburgh where he worked to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1976. Many years later, he was on the Board of Directors for University of Pittsburgh at Titusville.

On December 1, 1961, he married the former Joyce Shreffler and she preceded him in death on November 28, 2001.

He was an Alderman for Franklin and eventually ran for and was elected as Franklin’s District Justice, holding the esteemed position for 30 years. After his retirement as magistrate, he filled the vacancy for Venango County Commissioner where he served for 2 years. He helped establish First Central Court in Venango County, was a prior president and on the board of directors for the Franklin Hospital. He also helped establish the Franklin Hospital Foundation and the Community Drugs Store.

In January of 2003, he married the former Margaret “Peg” Welton and she preceded him in death in June of 2020.

Robert was fond of history and was a member of the Venango County Historical Society and was an integral part of getting road signs and historical state markers for Major General Jesse Reno and Brigadier General Alexander Hays. He was chairman of the committee and was instrumental in getting the WWI marker in front of the Venango County Courthouse where he raised over $100k for the monument, the names of all the veterans from Venango County and the Doughboy Statue installed all of which was dedicated on November 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.

He had an interest in collecting classic cars, his favorite was Thunderbirds, and was a member of the local antique car clubs. He enjoyed researching the Iron Furnaces in the area, the Civil War, World War I and his family lineage tracing it back to when his family came from Ireland in the 1700s.

Most of all, his family was very important to him.  For years, he would have potluck dinners with his grandchildren and making memories to last a lifetime.

Left to cherish his memories are his children, Robert E. Billingsley, Jr and his wife, Tonya, Kevin Billingsley and his wife, Jen, and Lisa Lepping and her husband, Bill; his step children Christopher Welton, Patrick Welton, and Nicole Tripp; his grandchildren Nicholas, Leah, Kaitlyn, Austin, Megan Billingsley and Alexander Lepping; his many step-grandchildren; his great granddaughter Violet; his siblings Leon Billingsley, Sr and Sylvia Louise Bock; and his special friend Rev. June Stitzinger-Clark.

In addition to his parents and wife Joyce and second wife Peg, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Judith Billingsley and his step children Scott Welton and Robin Neumann.

Guests will be received at the Gardinier-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Thursday, November 12th from 2 pm – 4 pm and 7 pm – 9 pm; and on Friday, November 13th at the Franklin First United Methodist Church, 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin from 10 am until the start of services at 11 am with Rev. Connie Hoeke officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard at the church.

Robert will be laid to rest in Franklin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert’s name to the Venango County Historical Society, PO Box 101, Franklin, PA 16323.

Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Robert’s Book of Memories online at WarrenFH.com.