William R. Laird, III
Encyclopedia
William Ramsey Laird, III (June 2, 1916 January 7, 1974) was a United States Senator from West Virginia
. Born in Keswick, California, he was educated in the public schools. He graduated from Greenbrier Military School
, King College
(in Bristol, Tennessee
) and from West Virginia University
in 1944. During the Second World War he served in the United States Navy
. He was admitted to the bar
in 1944 and commenced the practice of law in West Virginia; he was a member of West Virginia Board of Education
in 1955 and a member of the board of directors of Merchants National Bank, Montgomery, West Virginia
and the Upper Kanawha Valley Development Association. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Laird Foundation in Montgomery and was State tax commissioner in 1955-1956, when he resigned, having been appointed to the U.S. Senate on March 13, 1956 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Harley M. Kilgore
. A Democrat, he served from March 13, 1956, to November 6, 1956. He was not a candidate for election to fill the vacancy and resumed the practice of law in Fayetteville
and Montgomery
.
Laird died in Montgomery in 1974; his remains were interred in Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Born in Keswick, California, he was educated in the public schools. He graduated from Greenbrier Military School
Greenbrier Military School
The Greenbrier Military School was a boys-only, private, military, boarding high school located in Lewisburg, West Virginia. It was founded in 1812.It closed in 1972...
, King College
King College
King College is a private, comprehensive college located in Bristol, Tennessee. Founded in 1867, King is independently governed with covenant affiliations to the Presbyterian Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church ....
(in Bristol, Tennessee
Bristol, Tennessee
Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 26,702 at the 2010 census. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. The boundaries of both cities run parallel to each other along State...
) and from West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
in 1944. During the Second World War he served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1944 and commenced the practice of law in West Virginia; he was a member of West Virginia Board of Education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
in 1955 and a member of the board of directors of Merchants National Bank, Montgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery is a city in West Virginia, along the Kanawha River. Most of the city is in Fayette County, with the remainder in Kanawha County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,942 ....
and the Upper Kanawha Valley Development Association. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Laird Foundation in Montgomery and was State tax commissioner in 1955-1956, when he resigned, having been appointed to the U.S. Senate on March 13, 1956 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Harley M. Kilgore
Harley M. Kilgore
Harley Martin Kilgore was a United States Senator from West Virginia.Born in Brown, West Virginia, he attended the public schools and graduated from the law department of West Virginia University at Morgantown in 1914 and was admitted to the bar the same year.He taught school in Hancock, West...
. A Democrat, he served from March 13, 1956, to November 6, 1956. He was not a candidate for election to fill the vacancy and resumed the practice of law in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, West Virginia
Fayetteville is a town in and the county seat of Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,754 at the 2000 census.Fayetteville was listed as one of the 2006 "Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America" by Budget Travel Magazine ....
and Montgomery
Montgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery is a city in West Virginia, along the Kanawha River. Most of the city is in Fayette County, with the remainder in Kanawha County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,942 ....
.
Laird died in Montgomery in 1974; his remains were interred in Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.