Jack Williams (American politician)
| John Richard "Jack" Williams | |
|---|---|
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| 13th Governor of Arizona | |
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In office January 2, 1967 – January 6, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Pearson Goddard, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Raúl Héctor Castro |
| 47th Mayor of Phoenix | |
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In office 1956–1960 |
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| Preceded by | Frank G. Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Mardian, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 29, 1909 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | August 24, 1998 (aged 88) Phoenix, Arizona |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Vera May |
| Alma mater | Phoenix College |
| Profession | Radio announcer |
John Richard "Jack" Williams (October 29, 1909 – August 24, 1998) was an American radio announcer and politician. After gaining public recognition throughout Arizona because of his work in radio, he went on to become a two-term Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona and a three-term Governor of Arizona. A constitutional amendment, approved by Arizona voters in 1968, resulted in Williams serving eight years as governor and being the first governor of Arizona to serve a four-year term.
As Mayor of Phoenix, Williams led efforts to grow the city that produced a series of annexations and construction of new governmental buildings. As governor he focused primarily on economic development within the state. His final term as governor was marred by a recall effort, led by Cesar Chavez, in response to his signing of a farm labor bill into law.
Williams was born to James and Laure (LaCossette) Williams in Los Angeles on October 29, 1909. His parents, who had met while both working at a Wells Fargo office in Los Angeles, were assigned to the Wells Fargo office in Ash Fork, Arizona at the time of his birth but still made periodic trips to Los Angeles to visit his mother's family. While still a child, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Williams was raised. In 1915, while visiting Los Angeles, Williams was diagnosed with a malignant tumor behind his right eye. At that time, Marie Curie was in the city giving lectures and demonstrating the use of radium pellets. After surgical removal of the eye and tumor, his physicians — unsure how to proceed — asked Curie to assist with Williams' treatment.Radiation therapy administered by Curie was successful in halting the cancer but left his eye socket unable to accept a glass eye. Williams instead became known for wearing glasses with a frosted lens.
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