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, U.S. | July 11, 1912
Died | January 8, 2011 Marcellus, New York, U.S. | (aged 98)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Mary Dorsey Walsh |
Children | 7 (including James T. Walsh) |
Alma mater |
St. Bonaventure University University at Buffalo |
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 worked in social services, including serving as a field representative for the New York State Commission Against Discrimination. [4] He was appointed 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. [5] The Center was built as a result of $10 million in federal monies [5] secured for its construction with the assistance of former United States Congress Member James T. Walsh, [1] [5] William's son, who is also a Republican. [5]
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] His grandson Ben Walsh became Syracuse mayor in 2018.