William E. Fears

William Earl Fears (September 28, 1920 – August 25, 2008) was a long-serving Democratic member of the Senate of Virginia from the 1960s to the 1990s.

William E. Fears
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 12, 1972 – January 8, 1992
Preceded byWilliam H. Hodges
Succeeded byTommy Norment
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 10, 1968 – January 12, 1972
Preceded byE. Almer Ames Jr.
Succeeded byHunter Andrews
Personal details
Born
William Earl Fears

(1920-09-28)September 28, 1920
Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedAugust 25, 2008(2008-08-25) (aged 87)
Onancock, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Belle DeCormis
​
(m. 1944)​
ChildrenRichard Fears, Barbara Fears
Alma materYale University (BA)
University of Cincinnati (JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceU.S. Army Air Forces
Years of service1943–1945
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and career

Fears was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on September 28, 1920. He left home at the age of 13 to live with relatives on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in New York.[1] In 1943, Fears earned a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering at Yale University. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He saw combat as a lieutenant in the 92nd Bombardment Group based in England. After military service, Fears earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. He practiced law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and New York City before relocating to Accomac, Virginia on Virginia's Eastern Shore in 1950, where he practiced law for 50 years.

Political career

Fears served as Commonwealth's Attorney for Accomac County, Virginia until his election to the Virginia Senate in 1967. He defeated incumbent Senator E. Almer Ames Jr. "a Byrd Organization stalwart"[2] to secure the Democratic nomination and was subsequently elected to represent the 1st District.

In 1971, the Virginia General Assembly was redistricted and Senator Fears' home in Accomac County was placed in the 3rd District which included part of the Virginia Peninsula in addition to the Eastern Shore counties of Accomac and Northampton. He was re-elected to the Senate throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1991, the 3rd District was redrawn to include more Republican-leaning territory on the Virginia Peninsula. During the legislative session that year, Fears spoke against increasing penalties for drunk driving, saying, "We're going to take all the sport out of drinking and driving."[2] That November, Republican Tommy Norment defeated Fears.

Death

William E. Fears died on August 25, 2008.


References
  1. Virginia Senate Joint Resolution No. 389, Celebrating the life of William E. Fears. Agreed to by the Senate, January 29, 2009; Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2009
  2. Robertson, Ellen. Outspoken former senator William E. Fears dies at 87. Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 28, 2008
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