Bill Nation
Bill Nation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 45th and 50th Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming | |
| In office January 2, 1962[1] – 1966 | |
| Preceded by | Worth Story |
| Succeeded by | Bill Herbert Kingham |
| In office January 2, 1973[2] – January 3, 1977[3] | |
| Preceded by | James D. Van Velzor |
| Succeeded by | Donald Erickson |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from Laramie County | |
| In office 1965[4]–1967[4] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 28, 1925 Lingle, Wyoming |
| Died | April 13, 2022 (aged 96) Cheyenne, Wyoming |
| Political 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
[edit]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.[5][6]
Career
[edit]Mayor
[edit]Elections
[edit]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.[7][8] 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.[9][10]
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.[11][12] On September 30, 1963, Nation filed to run for reelection, placed first in the primary, and won in the general election.[13][14][15] Nation announced that he would not seek reelection in 1965, and was succeeded by Bill Herbert Kingham.[16][17]
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.[18][19] On October 6, 1969, Nation filed to run in the mayoral election, but was defeated in the general election by incumbent Mayor Floyd Holland.[20][21]
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.[22]
Nation announced at a press conference on July 21, 1976, that he would seek reelection.[4] 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.[23][24] In the general election Nation was defeated by Erickson.[25]
In 1980, Nation ran for the mayoral office, placed second in the primary, but lost to incumbent Mayor Erickson in the general election.[26][27]
Tenure
[edit]In 1962, Nation was elected to the board of directors of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities alongside other mayors and local officials in Wyoming.[28] In 1963, he was selected to serve as vice-president of the organization.[29]
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.[30][31] 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.[32]
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.[33][34]
Other political offices
[edit]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.[35] In 1965, he was appointed to serve on the Revenue, City and County Affairs, and Welfare, Buildings, Institutions, Sanitary and Medical Affairs committees.[36] On March 9, 1967, Governor Stanley K. Hathaway appointed Bill Nation as one of nine members of the Wyoming Recreation Committee.[37]
On March 8, 1966, Nation announced that he would seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.[38] 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.[39] In the Democratic primary he was defeated by Ernest Wilkerson.[40]
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.[41][42][43]
Death
[edit]Nation died in Cheyenne on April 13, 2022, at the age of 96.[6]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 3,491 | 46.40% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Worth Story (incumbent) | 3,160 | 42.00% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Homer J. McAuliffe | 873 | 11.60% | ||
| Total votes | 7,524 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 6,507 | 58.62% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Worth Story (incumbent) | 4,594 | 41.38% | ||
| Total votes | 11,101 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation (incumbent) | 6,544 | 60.17% | ||
| Nonpartisan | O. N. Buckles | 4,331 | 39.83% | ||
| Total votes | 10,875 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ernest Wilkerson | 13,145 | 31.07% | ||
| Democratic | Bill Nation | 9,834 | 23.25% | ||
| Democratic | Jack R. Gage | 8,661 | 20.47% | ||
| Democratic | Raymond B. Whitaker | 6,238 | 14.75% | ||
| Democratic | Howard L. Burke | 4,426 | 10.46% | ||
| Total votes | 42,304 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | R. E. Cheever | 2,996 | 31.69% | ||
| Nonpartisan | George R. Cox | 2,341 | 24.76% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 2,089 | 22.10% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Jim Van Velzor | 1,264 | 13.37% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Henry Jensen | 676 | 7.15% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Ray Gawryluk | 88 | 0.93% | ||
| Total votes | 9,454 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Floyd Holland (incumbent) | 5,028 | 61.13% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 3,197 | 38.87% | ||
| Total votes | 8,225 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bill Nation | 5,530 | 100.00% | ||
| Total votes | 5,530 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John B. Huisman (incumbent) | 9,755 | 51.50% | ||
| Democratic | Bill Nation | 9,187 | 48.50% | ||
| Total votes | 18,942 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Don Erickson (incumbent) | 4,338 | 30.92% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 3,439 | 24.51% | ||
| Nonpartisan | John Rogers | 3,375 | 24.05% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Mike Sullivan | 2,629 | 18.74% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Carl Johnson | 251 | 1.79% | ||
| Total votes | 14,032 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Don Erickson | 11,389 | 56.93% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation (incumbent) | 8,616 | 43.07% | ||
| Total votes | 20,005 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Don Erickson (incumbent) | 11,751 | 57.54% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 8,671 | 42.46% | ||
| Total votes | 20,422 | 100.00% | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "New Cheyenne Mayor". The Montana Standard. January 4, 1962. p. 10. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne Mayor". Casper Star-Tribune. December 28, 1972. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne mayor sworn in". Casper Star-Tribune. January 4, 1977. p. 6. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Nation seeks another mayor term". Casper Star-Tribune. July 22, 1976. p. 33. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne Mayor, Wife Will Attend Fair Here". Casper Star-Tribune. July 29, 1962. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Nation, Charles William "Bill"". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. April 16, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Photographer Enters Cheyenne Mayor Race". Casper Morning Star. September 5, 1959. p. 23. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne Primary Vote To Be Held Today". Casper Morning Star. October 20, 1959. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Story, Keelan Final Cheyenne Candidates". Casper Morning Star. October 21, 1959. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wyo. Voters Satisfied - Incumbents Win". Casper Morning Star. November 4, 1959. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Story-Nation In Cheyenne Mayor Race". Casper Morning Star. October 26, 1961. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "New Mayor Is Elected In Cheyenne". Casper Star-Tribune. November 8, 1961. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayor of Cheyenne Seeks Re-Election". Casper Star-Tribune. October 2, 1963. p. 11. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nation, Buckles Are Nominated". Casper Star-Tribune. October 23, 1963. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "New Mayor Is Elected In Cheyenne". Casper Morning Star. November 6, 1963. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne Mayor Won't Run Again". Billings Gazette. June 30, 1965. p. 18. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Kingham Wins Cheyenne Job". Casper Star-Tribune. November 3, 1965. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nation Seeks Mayor's Post". Casper Star-Tribune. September 14, 1967. p. 20. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Cheyenne Nixes Nation". Billings Gazette. October 25, 1967. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Mayor Runs For Cheyenne Post". Casper Star-Tribune. October 12, 1969. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Cheyenne Has A New Mayor". Billings Gazette. November 5, 1969. p. 5. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Outgoing Cheyenne mayor becomes lobbyist". Billings Gazette. November 25, 1972. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayoralty race may go to wire". Casper Star-Tribune. November 1, 1976. p. 6. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Laramie county spending is listed". Casper Star-Tribune. November 20, 1976. p. 5. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Cheyenne voters elect new mayor". Casper Star-Tribune. November 3, 1976. p. 6. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "1980 mayoral primary results". Casper Star-Tribune. September 11, 1980. p. 19. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "1980 mayoral election results". Casper Star-Tribune. September 11, 1980. p. 15. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Municipal Assn. Calls for Local Area Self Rule". Casper Star-Tribune. July 1, 1962. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cities Group Formally Asks Extra Session". Casper Star-Tribune. June 19, 1963. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne May Name Airport for Kennedy". Casper Star-Tribune. December 19, 1963. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Airport Name Change Plans Dropped". Casper Morning Star. December 20, 1963. p. 16. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nazis seek quarters". Casper Star-Tribune. November 28, 1974. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cheyenne officials deny charge of discrimination". Casper Star-Tribune. May 27, 1973. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "HUD charges discrimination". Casper Star-Tribune. June 12, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Control of Legislature To Be Split". Casper Star-Tribune. November 4, 1964. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wyoming House Demos Pick Committee Members". Billings Gazette. January 13, 1965. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stan Names Recreation Committee". Casper Star-Tribune. March 10, 1967. p. 13. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bill Nation Announces He's Governor Candidate". Casper Star-Tribune. March 9, 1966. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Glover Will Direct Nation's Campaign". Casper Star-Tribune. May 10, 1966. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Finally ... It's Al Christian by 420 Votes". Billings Gazette. September 2, 1966. p. 32. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bill Nation Running for County Clerk". Casper Star-Tribune. July 12, 1970. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Laramie County Incumbents Fare Well in Primary". Casper Star-Tribune. August 21, 1970. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1970 election results". Casper Star-Tribune. November 5, 1970. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.