William V. Rawlings

William Vincent Rawlings (August 17, 1913 – December 27, 1975) was an attorney and Democratic State Senator from Virginia, who served in the Senate of Virginia from 1961 until his death in 1975.

William V. Rawlings
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 15th district
In office January 12, 1962 – December 27, 1975
Preceded by	Macon M. Long
Succeeded by	J. Lewis Rawls Jr.
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 5th district
In office January 10, 1962 – January 12, 1972
Preceded by	Mills Godwin
Succeeded by	Peter K. Babalas
Personal details
Born	William Vincent Rawlings (1913-08-17)August 17, 1913 Capron, Virginia, U.S.
Died	December 27, 1975(1975-12-27) (aged 62) Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Novella Pope
Alma mater	Virginia Military Institute (BS) University of Virginia (LLB)

Early life

Rawlings was born in Capron, Virginia, on August 17, 1913. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1933 with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia and practiced law in the town of Franklin, Virginia. Rawlings married Novella Pope.

Public service

Rawlings served as an appointed member of the Southampton County School Board and chaired the board during the upheaval of public school desegregation and Virginia's policy of Massive resistance.

In 1961, Senator Mills Godwin was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and Rawlings contested the special election to represent the 5th District, winning with about 60% of the vote.^[1] Rawlings served in the Senate until his death in 1975.

Death

Rawlings died on December 27, 1975, and was buried in Capron, Virginia.

References

1. "Franklin becomes a city". Tidewater News. December 22, 1961. Retrieved September 20, 2012.