Legislator Details
Image Description:
William A. Ryan portrait from Manual 1959 p.lxi
William A. Ryan portrait from Manual 1959 p.lxi
Willliam A. Ryan
AKA:
Number of sessions served 13
Gender: Male
Age at election: 39
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 5/2/1919
City: Morgantown, WV
County: Monongalia County, WV
Country: US
Death
Date: 10/9/2001
City: Holt, MI
County: Ingham County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: mausolem
Burial
Date: 10/13/2001
City: Lansing, MI
County: Ingham County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Saint Joseph Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Virginia Calamia, 5-5-1951
Number of Children: 0
Background
Religion: Catholic
Military Service: United States Marine Corps
Occupation: editor
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
high school graduate
Biographical Sketch:
He was president and financial secretary, United Auto Workers Local 104; part-time editor of The Wage Earner newspaper, 1953-64. Member: United Auto Workers; Southeastern Community Council, Detroit; Knights of Columbus; George Engle Community Association; Detroit Catholic Labor Conference. After retiring from the legislature, he was clerk of the state House from 1983-84. Died following a stroke, in the Martin Luther Holt nursing home.
He had a legendary attention to detail, administrative talents, and work ethic. He served in key positions during an era of remarkable change in state government and the legislature in particular. He was instrumental in the creation of the daily bill status, the establishment of House Fiscal Agency and the bill analysis unit, and the shaping of research and other staff services in the legislature. Many of the capabilities of the legislature has as a co-equal branch of government bear the mark of his determination.
Notable Facts:
Speaker of the Michigan State House of Representatives, 1969-74.
Known for his tenacity and generosity and his strong sense of social justice and unshakable belief of our system of self-government.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Economic Development & Energy , Social Services & Youth, Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 14
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 701, 710.02 (Block 310), 711-3,
751-5, 756 (Block 101), 774 (Less: Blocks 302-61, 775 (Blocks 302-6), 776 (Blocks 101-2), 777 (Blocks
101-2), 778-86 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/4/1980
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1981
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Taxation
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Drainage , Economic Development & Energy , Social Services & Youth, Urban Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 14
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 701, 710.02 (Block 310), 711-3,
751-5, 756 (Block 101), 774 (Less: Blocks 302-61, 775 (Blocks 302-6), 776 (Blocks 101-2), 777 (Blocks
101-2), 778-86 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Majority Vice-Chair of the Committee on Drainage;
Chair of the Committee on Urban Affairs
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Economic Development , Social Services & Youth, Urban Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 14
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 701, 710.02 (Block 310), 711-3,
751-5, 756 (Block 101), 774 (Less: Blocks 302-61, 775 (Blocks 302-6), 776 (Blocks 101-2), 777 (Blocks
101-2), 778-86 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/2/1976
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1977
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Urban Affairs
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corrections , Economic Development , Social Services & Youth, Urban Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 14
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 701, 710.02 (Block 310), 711-3,
751-5, 756 (Block 101), 774 (Less: Blocks 302-61, 775 (Blocks 302-6), 776 (Blocks 101-2), 777 (Blocks
101-2), 778-86 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/5/1974
Date Sworn In: 1/8/1975
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Joint Committee on the Legislative Council, Joint Committee on Legislative Retirement
Postions Held: Speaker
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 14
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/7/1972
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1973
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On:
Postions Held: Speaker
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description: County of Wayne (part).
Date Elected: 11/3/1970
Date Sworn In: 1/13/1971
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Legislative Council alternate
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Civil Rights , Joint Committee on the Legislative Council, Taxation
Postions Held: Speaker
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/5/1968
Date Sworn In: 1/8/1969
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Speaker of the House.
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/8/1966
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1967
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Democratic Leader.
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Ways and Means
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/4/1964
Date Sworn In: 1/13/1965
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Drainage , Federal Relations , Local Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 3
District Description: Ward 21--all that portion lying westerly of a continuous line formed by the center lines of the following: beginning at the intersection of Kingsville and Kelly Aves and running along Kelly, Hayes, Harper, Chalmers, Mack, Conner, Jefferson to the Detroit TErminal RR and on an extended line therefrom to the Detroit River.
Date Elected: 11/6/1962
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1963
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Federal Relations , Local Taxation , Tuberculosis Hospitals
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 3
District Description: City of Detroit ward 21- all that portion lying westerly of a continuous line formed by the center lines of the following: beginning at the intersection of Kingsville and Kelly Avenues and running along Kelly, Hayes, Harper, Chalmers, Mack, Connor, Jefferson to the Detroit Terminal RR, thence along said railroad right-of-way and on an extended line therefrom to the Detroit River.
Date Elected: 11/8/1960
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1961
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected on Jan. 10, 1958 to fill a vacancy in the House.
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Elections , Metropolitan Affairs, Tuberculosis Hospitals
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 3
District Description: City of Detroit Ward 21--all that portion lying westerly of a continuous line formed by the center lines of the following: beginning at the intersection of Kingsville and Kelly Aves and running along Kelly, Hayes, Harper, Chalmers, Mack, Conner, Jefferson to the Detroit RR thence along said railroad right-of-way and on an extended line therefrom to the Detroit River
Date Elected: 11/4/1958
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1959
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On:
Postions Held:
City of Residence:
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description:
Date Elected: 1/10/1958
Date Sworn In: 1/13/1958
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office:
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status:
Notes: Elected to fill the vacancy caused when Rep. Carey resigned.