William Frank Norrell (August 29, 1896 – February 15, 1961) was a U.S. Representative from Arkansas' former 6th congressional district.[1] Upon his death, he was succeeded in Congress by his widow, Catherine Dorris Norrell.
William F. Norrell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 6th district | |
| In office January 3, 1939 – February 15, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | John L. McClellan |
| Succeeded by | Catherine Dorris Norrell |
| Arkansas State Senator | |
| In office 1930–1938 | |
| President of the Arkansas State Senate | |
| In office 1934–1938 | |
| Preceded by | Ned Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Fred S. Armstrong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Frank Norrell August 29, 1896 Milo, Ashley County, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | February 15, 1961 (aged 64) Washington, D.C. |
| Resting place | Oakland Cemetery Monticello, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Catherine Dorris Norrell |
| Children | Judy Norrell |
| Alma mater | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
Born on a farm in Milo in Ashley County in south Arkansas, Norrell attended the public schools, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, then known as Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College, the University of the Ozarks, then College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School.[1][2] During World War I, Norrell served in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps.[1]
In 1920, he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Monticello in Drew County, Arkansas. From 1930 to 1938, Norrell served as member of the Arkansas State Senate. He was the Senate President from 1934 to 1938 under Lieutenant Governors William Lee Cazort and Robert L. Bailey.
Norrell was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1939, until his death in Washington, D.C.[2] He was a signatory to the 1956 Southern Manifesto that opposed the desegregation of public schools ordered by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education.
He is interred beside his wife at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, Arkansas.
See also
editNote
editThis article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
References
edit- ^ a b c "William Norrell Dies; 22 Years in House" The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., 109th year, number 47, February 16, 1961, page B-4. (obituary) (subscription required)
- ^ a b Pearson, Drew and Allen, Robert S. "The Washington Merry-Go-Round", The Lexington Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, volume 51, number 66, March 18, 1939, page 4. (subscription required)
- United States Congress. "William F. Norrell (id: N000137)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
