The Better Chancery Practice Blog

Gov. Waller at work

Former Mississippi governor (1972-1976) and distinguished member of the bar, William Lowe Waller, Sr., died November 30, 2011. He was 85.

He was a champion of the people, and was ahead of his time on civil rights issues. As a District Attorney, he unsuccessfully attempted to prosecute Byron De La Beckwith for the murder of Medgar Evers. He did away with the state’s spy agency, the infamous Sovereignty Commission, by vetoing its appropriations. He opened state government jobs to African Americans, appointing many to fill positions. His son, William L. Waller, Jr., is Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Philip Thomas’s reminiscence of the governor as adverse counsel is worth a read.

Tagged: Bill Waller