Bill Waller

William Lowe "Bill" Waller ( born October 21, 1926 in Burgess, Lafayette County, Mississippi, † November 30, 2011 in Jackson, Mississippi ) was an American politician. He was from 1972 to 1976 Governor of the State of Mississippi.

Early years and political rise

Bill Waller attended the common schools and graduated from Memphis State University after that. After a subsequent law studies at the University of Mississippi in Jackson, he began to work as a lawyer. During the Korean War he served in the intelligence service of the U.S. Army. Between 1959 and 1967 Waller acted as district attorney in Hinds County. He became a member of the Democratic Party. In 1967 he applied unsuccessfully for his party's nomination for the office of governor. Four years later he then managed the leap into the highest office in his state. He was able to beat Charles Evers, a non-partisan candidates. Evers, brother of Medgar Evers, was the first African American in the history of the State of Mississippi, who ran for the office of governor.

Governor of Mississippi

Bill Waller took up his new post on 18 January 1972. During his tenure, some administrative reforms were made. For example, the office of a district sheriff was upgraded and made more efficient. Under Governor Waller some African-Americans and women were appointed to government positions. At that time, construction began on the Tennessee - Tombigbee Waterway.

After the end of his governorship on 20 January 1976 Waller was working as a lawyer again. In 1978 he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Also unsuccessful was his renewed candidacy for the governorship in 1987. Together with his wife Carroll Overton Waller Bill had five children.