Ryan DeGraffenried, Sr.
| Ryan DeGraffenried Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 11th (Tuscaloosa County) district |
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In office November 1954 – February 10, 1966 |
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| Preceded by | J. P. Shelton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Ryan DeGraffenried April 15, 1925 Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Died | February 10, 1966 (aged 40) near Fort Payne, Alabama |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Nell Maxwell (1945–1966; his death) |
| Relations | Edward deGraffenried Jr. (father) |
| Children | Deborah DeGraffenried Dana DeGraffenried Taylor (twins with Deborah) Ryan DeGraffenried Jr. |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama |
| Occupation | attorney, legislator |
| Awards | Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | 3rd Armoured Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
William Ryan DeGraffenried Sr. (April 15, 1925 – February 10, 1966) was an attorney and politician from Alabama. He was the son of Edward deGraffenried, former U.S. congressman from Alabama. He married Margaret Nell Maxwell in July 1945.
A Tuscaloosan, DeGraffenried ran for Governor of Alabama on two occasions (1962 and 1966). On his first attempt, he was defeated in the Democratic primary runoff by George Wallace, who was later elected Governor.
In 1966, DeGraffenried ran again as a moderate, supporting racial integration. He sought to succeed the Dixiecrat-style Wallace, who was prohibited by the constitution from running for a second term. One day after qualifying for the gubernatorial race, DeGraffenried died in a plane crash while campaigning in northeast Alabama near Fort Payne.Lurleen Wallace, wife of the former governor, won the nomination and gubernatorial election.
His son, Ryan DeGraffenried Jr. (1950–2006), became a notable Alabama politician. He served as State Senator, Senate president pro tempore and Lieutenant Governor of Alabama under Jim Folsom Jr. (1993–1995).
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