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Billy Wells selected as 2015 Linton Freedom Festival Parade Marshal
LINTON -- The Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce and the Linton Freedom Festival Taskforce are pleased to announce that the 2015 Linton Freedom Festival Grand Marshal is Billy Wells.
Billy Wells joins the elite list of past-distinguished Grand Marshals that include: Mike Puckett, the 2013 Linton-Stockton High School Basketball Team, Colonel Alan M. Pratt, Jim Callane, Ted Bishop, Senator Lindel Hume, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, former State Representative Jerry Denbo, former Governors Robert Orr and Joseph Kernan, Captain Joe Erler NSWC Crane, former Indiana Representative John Gregg, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Sue Ellen Reed, Vincennes University President Emeritus Dr. Phillip Summers, former Secretary of State Joe Hogsett, and USA Olympic Bobsled team member Bruce Roselli.
Wells is a WWII veteran having served in the Army with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 291st Regiment, 75th Infantry Division.
He fought at the Battle of the Bulge and his company assisted in driving the last of the German's out of France. Among his many medals, Wells has been awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
In 2007, Mr. Wells was named a "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor by France for his decisive role in the liberation of France during WWII.
Originally from Lyons, Wells retired from the U. S. Government. Upon retirement he returned to Greene County and became an avid supporter of the L&M basketball programs. Wherever he traveled, he did it in the 75th tradition "always get there somehow" and it brought him back home.
The Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce and the Freedom Festival Taskforce are honored to have Wells as the 2015 Linton Freedom Festival Parade Marshal. In addition to being recognized in the 110th Linton Freedom Festival Parade, Wells will be recognized on Wednesday, July 1 during the performance of the 38th Infantry Division Band scheduled for the band shell in Humphreys Park at 6:30 p.m.
The 2015 Linton Freedom Festival Parade will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. in downtown Linton.