William Winter (politician)

William Forrest Winter ( born February 21, 1923 in Grenada County, Mississippi ) is a former American politician. He was from 1980 to 1984 Governor of the State of Mississippi.

Early years

William Winter studied until 1943 at the University of Mississippi history. After that he was stationed as a soldier in the U.S. Army in the Philippines. After his return to Mississippi, he studied at the Faculty of Law University of Mississippi law. During the Korean War, he was back as a soldier in action.

Political rise

Winter was a member of the Democratic Party. In 1947 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Mississippi, where he remained eight years. From 1950 to 1951 he was also in the advisory board of U.S. Senator John C. Stennis. In 1959, Winter was a tax collector ( Tax Collector ) his state. This office he held until 1964, when it was abolished at his suggestion. After that, he was Minister of Finance ( State Treasurer ) of his state. In 1967 he applied unsuccessfully for the office of governor. Between 1972 and 1976 William was winter then. Vice Governor Deputy Governor Bill Waller In 1975 there was another unsuccessful candidacy for the governorship. Four years later he then managed the leap into the highest office in his state.

Governor of Mississippi

William Winter began his four-year term on 22 January 1980. The focus was on education policy, racial integration and the preservation of historic assets and documents. His Education Reform Act was for 20 years the first serious attempt to improve the education system of the state. During his tenure, even public kindergartens were established.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship candidate winter unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. He then worked as a lawyer. He was from 1997 to 1998 and a member of advisory committee by President Bill Clinton, who dealt with the racial problems. William Winter has received numerous awards. With his wife Elise Varner he has three children.