William Alton "Billy" Carter (March 29, 1937 – September 25, 1988) was the younger brother of U.S. President Jimmy Carter who gained a measure of fame for, among other things, being the spokesman and inspiration for Billy Beer. He also embarrassed his brother with a visit to Libya, which lead to a Senate Hearing over alleged influence peddling which some in the press dubbed "Billygate ".
He was born in Plains, Georgia. On December 6, 1976 he lost the mayoral election in Plains, Georgia.
In 1977 Billy Carter introduced "Billy Beer," capitalizing on his famous brother and on his own colorful image as an alcoholic country bumpkin.
In late 1978 and early 1979 Carter visited Libya three times, eventually registering as a foreign agent of the Libyan government and receiving a $220,000 loan.
After the failure of Billy Beer, Carter was forced to sell his house to settle back taxes with the IRS. On September 25, 1988 Carter died in Plains, Georgia of pancreatic cancer. His mother and both of his sisters also died from pancreatic cancer.
In 1999, Carter's son William "Buddy" Carter published a biography on his father titled Billy Carter: A Journey Through the Shadows (ISBN 1563525534).
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