Simeon S. Willis

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Simeon Slavens Willis (1 December 1879 - 2 April 1965) was a U.S. lawyer, judge and politician. He was governor of Kentucky from 1943–1947.

Simeon S. Willis was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, one of nine children and moved to Greenup County, Kentucky, as a child. Willis took a teacher-training course in a local private school, and before age 20 was selected principal of Springsville (now known as South Portsmouth), Kentucky schools. In 1901, he was admitted to the bar and established a law practice in Ashland.

On December 31,1927, he was appointed judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals by Governor Flem D. Sampson. He was elected to that same position, representing the court until 1933. Willis returned to his private practice. In 1943, he was elected Governor of Kentucky over the Democratic nominee, J. Lyter Donaldson. Willis was the only Republican elected Governor of Kentucky in a 40-year period (1927-1967).

During his term, five state tuberculosis hospitals, at London, Madisonville, Paris, Ashland and Glasgow were initiated and nearly 80 percent completed. He created a Commission on Negro Affairs and appointed the first African-American to the state Board of Education. He returned to his private practice in Ashland. During 1956-60 he served as a member of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Willis died on April 2, 1965 and is buried in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The Simeon Willis Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River was named after him.

[edit] Sources

• [1]

[edit] External links

• Biography at the National Governors Association
• Photo of Willis at Find A Grave

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