William P. Willis

William P. Willis
35th Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office 1973–1978
Preceded by	Rex Privett
Succeeded by	Daniel Draper
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office 1958–1986
Preceded by	Jack Bliss
Succeeded by	Robert P. Medearis
Constituency	Cherokee County (1958–1964) 4th district (1964–1986)
Personal details
Died	(1998-02-23)February 23, 1998 (aged 87) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Citizenship	Kiowa American

William P. Willis was an American and Kiowa politician who served as the 35th Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1973 to 1978. He served in the Oklahoma House from 1959 to 1986 and his nickname was the "Kiowa from Tahlequah."

Biography

William P. Willis served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the Cherokee County district as a member of the Democratic Party from 1958 to 1964. After the house changed to numbered districts in 1964 he represented the 4th district. From 1973 to 1978 he served as the 35th Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He left the house in 1986.^[1] He was known as the "Kiowa from Tahlequah."^[2][3] He died at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa on February 23, 1998.^[3] He was a member of the Kiowa Tribe.^[4]

References

1. "Oklahoma History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
2. "Speaker William P. Willis and Zelma Bynum Willis Lectureship on History and American Indian Studies". Northeastern State University. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
3. "'Bill' Willis, 87, Former House Speaker, Dies". The Oklahoman. February 25, 1998. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
4. Ervin, Chuck (February 25, 1998). "Former House Speaker Bill Willis Dies". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 14, 2024.