William Francis Walsh | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 33rd district | |
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1979 | |
Preceded by | Howard W. Robison |
Succeeded by | Gary A. Lee |
48th Mayor of Syracuse | |
In office 1961–1969 | |
Preceded by | Donald H. Mead |
Succeeded by | Lee Alexander |
Personal details | |
Born | Syracuse, New York | July 11, 1912
Died | January 8, 2011 Marcellus, New York | (aged 98)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Mary Dorsey Walsh |
Children | James T. Walsh and 6 others |
Alma mater | St. Bonaventure University, University at Buffalo, St. Bonaventure College |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army Air Forces |
Years of service | 1941–1946 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | United States Army Air Forces |
Battles/wars | World War II |
William Francis Walsh (July 11, 1912 – January 8, 2011) was a Republican-Conservative member of the United States House of Representatives from New York State.[1][2]
Walsh was born in Syracuse, New York to Irish immigrant parents.[1][3] He graduated from St. Bonaventure's College, now St. Bonaventure University, in 1934.[1] He received a master's degree in social work from the University at Buffalo in 1949,[1] and an honorary doctorate in civil law from St. Bonaventure University in 1970.[1] He served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1941 to 1946,[1] first as a private, and later being honorably discharged as a captain.[1]
Walsh was Welfare Commissioner of Onondaga County in New York State in 1959.[1] He was elected mayor of Syracuse in 1961,[1] and served until 1969.[1] He became more nationally-known by serving as Vice President of the US Conference of Mayors.[2] He was a delegate to the 1968 Republican National Convention.[1][2] He was elected to Congress in 1972,[1][2] and served from January 3, 1973 until January 3, 1979.[1][2]
At St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York, the William F. Walsh Science Center was named in his honor in 2006 and dedicated in 2008.[4] The Center was built as a result of $10 million in federal monies[4] secured for its construction with the assistance of former United States Congress Member James T. Walsh,[1][4] William's son, who is also a Republican.[4]
Walsh was married to Mary Dorsey Walsh,[2] and had seven children,[2] all of whom pursued careers in public service.[2] Walsh's children, Bill Walsh and Martha Hood Walsh are judges in Onondaga County,[2] and James T. Walsh served in Congress for twenty years.[2]