Edward E. Willey

Edward Eugene Willey, Sr. (April 17, 1910 – July 17, 1986) of Richmond, Virginia, was a pharmacist and politician from Virginia. He served as Senate Majority Leader in the Virginia General Assembly. He was also the father-in-law of Kathleen Willey, who was a figure in the Lewinsky scandal in 1998.

Edward E. Willey
President pro tempore
of the Senate of Virginia
In office
January 12, 1972 – July 17, 1986
Preceded byJames D. Hagood
Succeeded byBill Parkerson
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 10th district
In office
January 12, 1972 – July 17, 1986
Preceded byJames W. Davis
Succeeded byJoseph B. Benedetti
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 10, 1968 – January 12, 1972
Preceded byFred W. Bateman
Succeeded byLeroy S. Bendheim
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 33rd district
In office
January 9, 1952 – January 10, 1968
Preceded byCharles W. Crowder
Succeeded byNone (district eliminated)
Personal details
Born
Edward Eugene Willey

(1910-04-17)April 17, 1910
Middletown, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJuly 17, 1986(1986-07-17) (aged 76)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Twyla Sutton Layton
(
m. 1932)
Alma materMedical College of Virginia

Early life, family and education

Born in Middletown, Frederick County, on April 17, 1910, he was one of four children born to Lloyd Clark and Lillah Wright Yates Willey. He grew up in Front Royal, Warren County, where he attended local public schools. Following graduation from Warren County High School, he enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia, graduating in 1930. Shortly thereafter, he met his future wife, Twyla Sutton Layton, of Newport News. The couple were married at Virginia Beach on August 20, 1932 and they had a son, Edward Eugene Willey, Jr. and a daughter, Twyla

Career

After graduating as a pharmacist, Willey began working for Springer Drug Company in Richmond. He continued with the firm until 1940, when he became a partner in Willey Drug Company. He became the pharmacy's sole owner in the early 1950s.

Politics

Ed Willey first entered public life in 1947, when he accepted appointment to fill a vacancy on what was then the Richmond Board of Aldermen. In 1949, he was unanimously elected by other members of City Council to fill an unexpired term. Councilman Willey would serve from 1949–1951, when he declared for one of Richmond's three Senate seats in the state legislature. On January 19, 1952, Senator Edward E. Willey took the oath and began his career that would span thirty-four years until his death in 1986. In 1971, he became chair of Committee on Finance. He became President pro tempore of the Senate in the 1972 session, and in that role, assumed chairmanship of the Rules Committee. In 1975, Willey stepped down as Rules Chair in order to remain the chairman of Finance, believing that "the man who controls the money down here controls the power."

Death

Following complications from a stroke suffered on June 16, 1986, Senator Willey died one month later on July 17. At the time of his death, he was considered the General Assembly's most powerful legislator.[1] Following services at Centenary United Methodist Church, he was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond.

Legacy

The Edward E. Willey Bridge on State Route 150 which carries Chippenham Parkway across the James River and links the City of Richmond with western Henrico County was named in his honor.

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References
  1. Baker, Donald P. (July 18, 1986). "OBITUARIES". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2020.


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