William N. Patman

A Representative from Texas. Born in Texarkana, Bowie County, Tex. , March 26, 1927. Attended the public schools of Texarkana and Washington, D. C. Graduated from Kemper Military School, Boonville, Mo. , 1944. B. B. A. , University of Texas, Austin, 1953, and LL. B. , 1953. Served in the United States Marine Corps, private first class, 1945-1946, and United States Air Force Reserve, captain, 1953-1966. Diplomatic courier, United States Foreign Service, 1949-1950. Admitted to the Texas bar in 1953 and was legal examiner, Texas Railroad Commission, 1953-1955. Commenced the private practice of law in 1955. City attorney, Ganado, 1955-1960. Served in the Texas senate, 1961-1980. Delegate, Texas State Democratic conventions, 1960-1978. Elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-seventh and Ninety-eighth Congresses (January 3, 1981-January 3, 1985). Unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Ninety-ninth Congress. Died on December 9, 2008, in Houston, Tex. Interment at Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Tex.