Wally Barron
William Wallace "Wally" Barron (December 8, 1911 – November 12, 2002) was an American Democratic politician in West Virginia. He was the state's 26th Governor from 1961 to 1965.
Wally Barron | |
---|---|
Barron from The Monticola, 1963 | |
26th Governor of West Virginia | |
In office January 16, 1961 – January 18, 1965 | |
Preceded by | Cecil H. Underwood |
Succeeded by | Hulett C. Smith |
27th Attorney General of West Virginia | |
In office 1957–1961 | |
Governor | Cecil H. Underwood |
Preceded by | John G. Fox |
Succeeded by | C. Donald Robertson |
Personal details | |
Born | Elkins, West Virginia, U.S. | December 8, 1911
Died | November 12, 2002 90) Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | (aged
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Opal Wilcox Barron |
Profession | Politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | |
Branch/service | |
Rank | Sergeant |
Battles/wars | World War II |
He was born in Elkins, West Virginia. He attended Washington and Lee University and the West Virginia University Law School. During World War II, he served in the United States Army. In 1949, he was elected mayor of Elkins. He became a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1950 and was re-elected in 1952. He resigned his seat when appointed as Liquor Control Commissioner by Governor William C. Marland subsequent to the 1952 election. He was nominated to Attorney General in 1956.
In 1960, he was elected governor of West Virginia and continued the clean government and civil rights reforms that had been instituted by his predecessor, Cecil H. Underwood.[1]
He died on November 12, 2002, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Corruption trial and prison
On August 30, 1968, Barron was acquitted of federal charges concerning alleged money kickbacks and rigged state contract schemes in which he and several of his associates were involved. It was later realized that Barron and his wife, Opal Barron, had bribed the jury foreman. Barron was indicted, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He served four years of his sentence.[2]
See also
References
- http://www.wvculture.org/history/government/governors/barron.html
- Anewman (August 30, 2017). "August 30, 1968: Wally Barron Acquitted of Federal Charges". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
External links
- Biography of William W. Barron
- Inaugural Address of William W. Barron
- William W. Barron's Influence on the West Virginia State Centennial Celebration
Party political offices | ||
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Preceded by Bob Mollohan |
Democratic nominee for Governor of West Virginia 1960 |
Succeeded by Hulett C. Smith |
Legal offices | ||
Preceded by John G. Fox |
Attorney General of West Virginia 1957–1961 |
Succeeded by C. Donald Robertson |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Cecil H. Underwood |
Governor of West Virginia 1961–1965 |
Succeeded by Hulett C. Smith |