He was a 2004 graduate of Chapel Hill High School and a graduate of the Cape Fear Community College Wooden Boat Building Program. He was pursuing a career as a chef.

A memorial service is planned.

Survivors include his parents, Charles Billings and Jane Cousins of Chapel Hill; three brothers, Sam Billings and Josh Billings, both of Chapel Hill, and Thad Billings of Wilmington.

Memorial donations may be made to an environmental cause of choice.