William J. Holloway
William J. Holloway
“He was first, last and always an Oklahoman. I will miss his support and cooperation on matters affecting the state.”
Biography
William Judson Holloway was born in Arkansas and graduated from Ouachita College (now Ouachita Baptist University) in 1910 before attending the University of Chicago. He moved to Hugo, Oklahoma, in 1910 and served as the principal of the city’s high school (1911 to 1914) until he received his law degree from Cumberland University and was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1915. He served as Choctaw County attorney (1916-1918), was elected to the Oklahoma Senate (1920-1926), was acting lieutenant governor (1925-1926) and became lieutenant governor in 1927. He became governor of the state in 1929 and served in the post until his term ended in 1931. He returned to private practice in Oklahoma where he served until his death in 1970.
Fun fact
William Holloway was serving as lieutenant governor when the impeachment trial and ouster of Governor Henry S. Johnston made him Oklahoma’s Governor in 1929.
Oklahoma connections
Holloway came to Hugo, Oklahoma, in 1910 as a high school principal.