William O'Neill (Connecticut politician)

William Atchison O'Neill ( born August 11, 1930 in Hartford, Connecticut, † November 24, 2007 in East Hampton, Connecticut ) was an American politician and governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Career

O'Neill visited the New Britain Teachers College and the University of Hartford. Subsequently, he was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. O'Neill decided to pursue a political career. He ran for a seat in the House of Representatives from Connecticut, where he was re-elected after his successful election still five more times. He was also from 1975 to 1976, and again from 1977 to 1978 Majority Leader. He was also Deputy Minority Leader, and Deputy Majority Leader. In 1978 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. On December 31, 1980 Governor Ella T. Grasso resigned from her post and O'Neill took office. He was then elected for a four-year term as governor and re-elected in 1986. He had presided over the Coalition of Northeastern Governors and the New England Governors' Conference. He was also the President of the Council of State Governments.