Bill Nation Explained

Bill Nation
Office:45th and 50th Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming
Term Start:January 2, 1962[1]
Term End:1966
Predecessor:Worth Story
Successor:Bill Herbert Kingham
Term Start2:January 2, 1973[2]
Term End2:January 3, 1977[3]
Predecessor2:James D. Van Velzor
Successor2:Donald Erickson
Office3:Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from Laramie County
Term Start3:1965
Term End3:1967
Birth Date:28 May 1925
Birth Place:Lingle, Wyoming
Death Place:Cheyenne, Wyoming
Party:Democratic Party
Spouse:Jo Ann Petersen
Children:4

Charles William Nation (May 28, 1925 – April 13, 2022), better known as Bill Nation, was an American politician who served as the 45th and 50th Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and in the Wyoming House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1966 and election as Laramie County Clerk in 1970.

Early life

Charles William Nation was born in Lingle, Wyoming on May 28, 1925. During World War II he served as a gunner aboard a destroyer, the USS Schroeder (DD-501), a Fletcher-class destroyer, this was a ship of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Seaton Schroeder. Entering service in 1943 under Admiral William Halsey Jr.'s command. Bill Nation married Jo Ann Petersen, with whom he had four children.[4]

Career

Mayor

Elections

Prior to entering politics Nation was a professional photographer. In September 1959, Nation announced that he would run for the mayoralty of Cheyenne, Wyoming and was the first person to do so.[5] [6] However, incumbent Mayor Worth Story and state senator R. J. Keelan were the finalists in the primary and Story would later defeat Keelan in the general election.[7] [8]

In 1961, Nation ran for mayor of Cheyenne, placed first in the primary ahead of incumbent Mayor Story, and defeated Story in the general election.[9] [10] On September 30, 1963, Nation filed to run for reelection, placed first in the primary, and won in the general election.[11] [12] [13] Nation announced that he would not seek reelection in 1965, and was succeeded by Bill Herbert Kingham.[14] [15]

Nation announced that he would seek election to the mayoral office on September 12, 1967, but placed third in the primary behind former Mayor R. E. Cheever and state legislator George R. Cox.[16] [17] On October 6, 1969, Nation filed to run in the mayoral election, but was defeated in the general election by incumbent Mayor Floyd Holland.[18] [19]

In 1972, Nation defeated incumbent Mayor James Van Velzor by five votes in the mayoral election, which was the smallest margin of victory for any Cheyenne mayor.[20]

Nation announced at a press conference on July 21, 1976, that he would seek reelection.[21] During the general election campaign he spent $936 against Don Erickson's, who was endorsed by the Cheyenne Central Labor council despite being a Republican, $988.42.[22] [23] In the general election Nation was defeated by Erickson.[24]

In 1980, Nation ran for the mayoral office, placed second in the primary, but lost to incumbent Mayor Erickson in the general election.[25] [26]

Tenure

In 1962, Nation was elected to the board of directors of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities alongside other mayors and local officials in Wyoming.[27] In 1963, he was selected to serve as vice-president of the organization.[28]

After the assassination of John F. Kennedy Nation proposed naming Cheyenne's airport after Kennedy in December 1963, but later chose to not introduce the proposal.[29] [30] In 1974, Nation rejected an attempt by the American Nazi Party to establish a national headquarters in Cheyenne and called for other residents of Cheyenne to write to the American Nazi Party to express their views on the proposal.[31]

In 1973, the Model Cities Program in Cheyenne had charges of discrimination filed against it by the Cheyenne Local Development Corporation due to its budget being decreased and had been investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nation and Gerald Iverson, the director of the Model Cities Program, denied that there was discrimination, but the city was found guilty of discrimination on June 11.[32] [33]

Other political offices

In 1964, Nation was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives as one of eleven members from Laramie County as a member of the Democratic Party.[34] In 1965, he was appointed to serve on the Revenue, City and County Affairs, and Welfare, Buildings, Institutions, Sanitary and Medical Affairs committees.[35] On March 9, 1967, Governor Stanley K. Hathaway appointed Bill Nation as one of nine members of the Wyoming Recreation Committee.[36]

On March 8, 1966, Nation announced that he would seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.[37] On May 10, he selected Kermit D. Glover, who had served as Nation's campaign manager for his mayoral and state legislature campaigns, as his gubernatorial campaign manager.[38] In the Democratic primary he was defeated by Ernest Wilkerson.[39]

On July 7, 1970, Nation filed to run for Laramie County Clerk and won the Democratic nomination, but lost in the general election against incumbent Republican clerk John B. Huisman.[40] [41] [42]

Death

Nation died in Cheyenne on April 13, 2022, at the age of 96.[43]

Notes and References

  1. News: January 4, 1962 . New Cheyenne Mayor . 10 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914192044/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59287181/the-montana-standard/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  2. News: December 28, 1972 . Cheyenne Mayor . 13 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914235626/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294995/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  3. News: January 4, 1977 . Cheyenne mayor sworn in . 6 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915144823/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59333156/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  4. News: July 29, 1962 . Cheyenne Mayor, Wife Will Attend Fair Here . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914195424/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59290408/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  5. News: September 5, 1959 . Photographer Enters Cheyenne Mayor Race . 23 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914171731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59279915/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  6. News: October 20, 1959 . Cheyenne Primary Vote To Be Held Today . 13 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914171928/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59280046/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  7. News: October 21, 1959 . Story, Keelan Final Cheyenne Candidates . 2 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914172106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59280142/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  8. News: November 4, 1959 . Wyo. Voters Satisfied - Incumbents Win . 1 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914172302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59280162/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  9. News: October 26, 1961 . Story-Nation In Cheyenne Mayor Race . 11 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914192721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59280424/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  10. News: November 8, 1961 . New Mayor Is Elected In Cheyenne . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914192912/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59280501/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  11. News: October 2, 1963 . Mayor of Cheyenne Seeks Re-Election . 11 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914201301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59291854/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  12. News: October 23, 1963 . Nation, Buckles Are Nominated . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914201659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59292311/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  13. News: November 6, 1963 . New Mayor Is Elected In Cheyenne . 1 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914201922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59292457/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  14. News: June 30, 1965 . Cheyenne Mayor Won't Run Again . 18 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915060048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59293942/the-billings-gazette/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  15. News: November 3, 1965 . Kingham Wins Cheyenne Job . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915060244/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59293980/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  16. News: September 14, 1967 . Nation Seeks Mayor's Post . 20 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915135319/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294632/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  17. News: October 25, 1967 . Cheyenne Nixes Nation . 3 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915135418/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294620/the-billings-gazette/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  18. News: October 12, 1969 . Former Mayor Runs For Cheyenne Post . 7 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915135856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294706/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  19. News: November 5, 1969 . Cheyenne Has A New Mayor . 5 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915140008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294726/the-billings-gazette/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  20. News: November 25, 1972 . Outgoing Cheyenne mayor becomes lobbyist . 4 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915140955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294952/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  21. News: July 22, 1976 . Nation seeks another mayor term . 33 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915205524/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59354055/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  22. News: November 1, 1976 . Mayoralty race may go to wire . 6 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915205622/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59354134/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  23. News: November 20, 1976 . Laramie county spending is listed . 5 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915205821/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59354170/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  24. News: November 3, 1976 . Cheyenne voters elect new mayor . 6 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915205915/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59354776/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  25. News: September 11, 1980 . 1980 mayoral primary results . 19 . Casper Star-Tribune . live . https://archive.today/20200721052603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55771124/casper-star-tribune/ . July 21, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  26. News: September 11, 1980 . 1980 mayoral election results . 15 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915145450/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59333398/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  27. News: July 1, 1962 . Municipal Assn. Calls for Local Area Self Rule . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914193437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59289136/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  28. News: June 19, 1963 . Cities Group Formally Asks Extra Session . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914200640/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59291490/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  29. News: December 19, 1963 . Cheyenne May Name Airport for Kennedy . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914202206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59292083/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  30. News: December 20, 1963 . Airport Name Change Plans Dropped . 16 . Casper Morning Star . live . https://archive.today/20200914202319/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59292100/casper-morning-star/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  31. News: November 28, 1974 . Nazis seek quarters . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915203947/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59353282/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 18, 2020 .
  32. News: May 27, 1973 . Cheyenne officials deny charge of discrimination . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915142236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59331916/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  33. News: June 12, 1973 . HUD charges discrimination . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915142356/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59331965/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 .
  34. News: November 4, 1964 . Control of Legislature To Be Split . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200914203710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59293635/casper-star-tribune/ . September 14, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  35. News: January 13, 1965 . Wyoming House Demos Pick Committee Members . 14 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915015305/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59293891/the-billings-gazette/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  36. News: March 10, 1967 . Stan Names Recreation Committee . 13 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915133851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294557/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  37. News: March 9, 1966 . Bill Nation Announces He's Governor Candidate . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915055125/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294138/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  38. News: May 10, 1966 . Glover Will Direct Nation's Campaign . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915055318/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294284/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  39. News: September 2, 1966 . Finally ... It's Al Christian by 420 Votes . 32 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915055658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294493/the-billings-gazette/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  40. News: July 12, 1970 . Bill Nation Running for County Clerk . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915134727/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294848/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  41. News: August 21, 1970 . Laramie County Incumbents Fare Well in Primary . 3 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915134525/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294817/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  42. News: November 5, 1970 . 1970 election results . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20200915134326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59294834/casper-star-tribune/ . September 15, 2020 . . September 14, 2020 .
  43. News: April 16, 2022 . Nation, Charles William "Bill" . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220531202718/https://www.wyomingnews.com/milestones/obituaries/nation-charles-william-bill/article_24e14b16-fb07-5240-83de-aa6ad02174ec.html . May 31, 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bill Nation".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.