Billy O'Brien (politician)

Joseph William O'Brien, Jr. (April 20, 1929 – November 9, 2012) was an American politician. A Democrat, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1974–1992.[1][2]

Billy O'Brien
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 83rd district
In office January 12, 1983 – January 8, 1992
Preceded by	None (district created)
Succeeded by	Leo Wardrup
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 38th district
In office January 13, 1982 – January 12, 1983 Serving with Buster O'Brien, Owen Pickett, Glenn McClanan, and Melvin Spence
Preceded by	Frederick H. Creekmore Tom Forehand
Succeeded by	Nora Anderson Squyres
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 42nd district
In office January 9, 1974 – January 13, 1982
Succeeded by	Robert Bloxom
Personal details
Born	Joseph William O'Brien, Jr. (1929-04-20)April 20, 1929 Parsons, Kansas
Died	November 9, 2012(2012-11-09) (aged 83) Virginia Beach, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Joyce Ann O'Brien
Children	Marlene Castellow Joseph William O'Brien, III
Residence	Virginia Beach, Virginia
Alma mater	University of North Carolina University of Virginia
Occupation	educator, businessperson
Committees	Education
Military service
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Captain

Early life, education, career

O'Brien was born in Parsons, Kansas. He was a star athlete at Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, and received a football scholarship to the University of North Carolina. He received a B.A. degree from that school and a master's degree from the University of Virginia.[1][2]

He served in the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of captain. He then became a teacher in the Norfolk County (later the city of Chesapeake) public schools, serving as football coach at Great Bridge High School 1955–1974.[1][2]

O'Brien and his wife, were married from c.1954 until his death. They had two children, Marlene Castellow and Joseph Willian O'Brien, III.[1][2]

Political career

O'Brien was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1973 from the 42nd district, a single-member district that covered Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.[3] In 1981, after redistricting, he was elected from the 38th district, a multimember district for Virginia Beach only.[4] From 1983 on, after a court decision mandating single-member districts, he represented the 83rd district in the northern part of Virginia Beach.

In 1976, O'Brien was the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives in Virginia's 4th congressional district. He lost to the Republican incumbent, Robert W. Daniel, Jr., 53.03%-46.97%.[5]

O'Brien was an early proponent of the Virginia State Lottery, which was created in 1987.[6]

O'Brien decided not to run for reelection in 1991. His seat was taken by Republican Leo Wardrup.

Death

O'Brien died in Virginia Beach on November 9, 2012.[2]

Notes

1. "Virginia House of Delegates, Session 1991; O'Brien, Joseph W. (Billy), Jr.;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
2. "Joseph W. O'Brien, Jr. Obituary". The Virginian-Pilot. 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
3. "Virginia House of Delegates, Session 1974; O'Brien, Joseph W. (Billy), Jr.;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
4. "Virginia House of Delegates, Session 1982; O'Brien, Joseph W. (Billy), Jr.;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
5. "The Virginia Elections and State Elected Officials Database; Candidate Data for 1976RUHR4". University of Virginia. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
6. Frankenberry, Jami (2012-11-13). "Ex-football coach, state delegate Billy O'Brien dies". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2012-11-13.