William F. Quinn

Infobox Governor
name = William Francis Quinn

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order = 1st
office = Governor of Hawaii
term_start = 1959
term_end = 1962
lieutenant = James Kealoha
predecessor = None
successor = John A. Burns
birth_date = July 13, 1919
birth_place = Rochester, New York
death_date = August 28, 2006
death_place =
party = Republican
spouse =
profession =
religion =

William Francis Quinn (July 13, 1919 – August 28, 2006) was the Governor of the Territory of Hawai'i from 1957 to 1959 and Governor of the State of Hawai'i from 1959 to 1962. Originally appointed to the office by President of the United States Dwight Eisenhower, Quinn was the last executive of an era of Republican rule over the Hawaiian Islands which began during the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.

Early years

Quinn was born in Rochester, New York on July 31, 1919. His family moved to St. Louis, Missouri during his youth, where he attended prep school at St. Louis University High School and college at St. Louis University. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon his discharge from service, he settled permanently in Honolulu, Hawai'i.

He and his wife, Nancy, were entusiastic members of the Portlock Road Association, and Bill was a dedicated actor and singer in the Honolulu Light Opera. His most notable role was in the 1940's production of "Brigadoon".

Political career

Quinn involved himself in territorial politics and was elected to the territorial senate in 1956. It is from the legislature that he was appointed to the governorship by the White House. Quinn worked closely with Congressional Delegate John A. Burns in obtaining statehood for Hawai'i. They succeeded and Quinn won an election to become the first state governor.

Retirement and personal life

In 1976, Quinn ran for the United States Senate. Defeated, he retired from public service. In his later years, Quinn lectured, occasionally traveled on the public speaking circuit serving as a Republican elder statesman, and spent time with his family in Hawai'i.

In March 2006, Quinn was injured in a fall and never fully recovered. Quinn died on August 28, 2006, and was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.