Richard W. Billings, 86, banking executive

Richard W. Billings, 86, a local banking executive and former board chairman of Crozer-Keystone Health System, died Tuesday, Sept. 3, of cancer at his home in Springton Lake Village, Media.

Mr. Billings retired in 1989 as executive vice president and director of Fidelity Bank and Fidelcorp, both now part of Wells Fargo.

Earlier in his career, he served as president, chairman, and chief executive officer of Southeast National Bank, which merged with Fidelity in 1984.

While affiliated with Southeast, his office was on the Main Line. He later commuted to offices in Center City.

Mr. Billings was named to Crozer-Chester Medical Center's board of directors in 1980 and served as chairman during the hospital's merger with Delaware County Memorial Hospital, a partnership that helped create Crozer-Keystone Health System in 1989.

After the merger, he was chairman of the Crozer-Keystone board from 1994 to 1998, and remained active on the board until the end of his life. "He was most proud of that," his son Scott said.

Born in Salt Lake City, Mr. Billings came to the Philadelphia area to live full time in 1980. He graduated from the Hill School in Pottstown, where he boarded, and from Yale University. He also graduated from Rutgers' Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Mr. Billings served in the Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of yeoman third class in July 1946. He served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in July 1952.

A longtime resident of Berwyn, he moved to Springton Lake Village about a decade ago. He met his wife, Patty, while dating in college.

He also served on the board of directors for the People's Light & Theatre Company and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

His son said he played golf on courses all over the world. Until age intervened, he also enjoyed skiing and playing tennis.

Besides his wife and son, Mr. Billings is survived by two other sons, Rick and David; daughter Ann Cope; and nine grandchildren.

Funeral services are private.