Simeon S. Willis
Simeon Slavens Willis ( born December 1, 1879 Aid Township, Lawrence County, Ohio, † April 2, 1965 in Frankfort, Kentucky ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Kentucky.
Early years and career
Willis attended the public schools of his home in Ohio and after his move to Kentucky. He also completed courses for prospective teachers. There followed a short time as a teacher and a law degree. In 1901, Willis was admitted to the bar. Then he opened a law office in Ashland. Since 1918 he was active in public service, he was until 1922 a consulting attorney for the city of Ashland. Between 1922 and 1928 he worked for the Bar Association and from 1928 to 1933 he was a judge in a court of appeal. In the following ten years he returned to his private practice. As a member of the Republican Party, he was nominated for the 1943 gubernatorial elections and then with 50.5 % of the vote against his Democratic opponent J. Lyter Donaldson chosen ( 48.9 % ) as the new governor of Kentucky. His margin of absolute votes was less than 9000th
Governor of Kentucky
His term began on December 7, 1943 and ended on December 9, 1947. During this time the end of the Second World War fell. On this occasion, the governor created a commission life, should draw up the plans for the post-war period and the transition to peacetime. Another new Commission was concerned exclusively with the problems of the black population. In his time the first time an African American was appointed to the Ministry of Education. The school system for whites and blacks has been improved and extended the school year. Funding was that, by allowing the county to double the school tax. In the field of health care, five new hospitals emerged to combat tuberculosis. In addition, the Governor made sure that the most collected by the state bridge tolls were abolished in Kentucky. Finally, the existing anti-corruption law has been extended and expanded the state's own parks
After the expiration of his term in December 1947 Willis worked as a lawyer again. Between 1956 and 1960 he was a member of the Pardon and Parole Board. He died in April 1965. Simeon Willis was married to Ida Lee Willis, the couple had a child.