C. William O'Neill

Biography

C. William O'Neill was born in Marietta, Ohio on February 14, 1916. He was the 59th Governor of Ohio. He graduated from both Marietta College (1938) and Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (1942). While at Marietta he joined The Delta Upsilon University.

O'Neill served as a state representative and as Speaker of the House. He was then elected the State Attorney General in 1950, being the youngest person elected to the office at age 34. He served from 1951 to 1957, when he was elected to the governorship. O'Neill served until 1959. He was defeated for re-election due to his support of the controversial proposed "right to work" amendment to the Ohio Constitution. He served on the Ohio Supreme Court from 1960 until his death serving as an associate justice, then chief justice. O'Neill was the only Ohioan to serve in top leadership positions in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of Ohio.

O'Neill was married to Betty Hewson on July 29, 1945, and they had two children. He died on August 20, 1978, and his funeral service was at First Community Church in Columbus. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta.

Legacy

The O'Neill Building at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair in Columbus, Ohio, is named in honor of O'Neill. Additionally, The C. William O'Neill Senior Citizens Center in Marietta, Ohio is named in his honor.

References

References

1. [http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/SCO/formerjustices/bios/oneill.asp The Supreme Court of Ohio and The Ohio Judicial System – C. William O'Neill] "As he explained to the [[Columbus Dispatch]] in a 1975 interview the initial 'C'. stands for nothing; rather it was a compromise between his mother, who wanted to name him Charles, and his father, who did not want a junior in the family."