G. Mennen Williams '33, Governor of Michigan (1948-1961)

Gerhard Mennen Williams, also known as Soapy Williams, (February 23, 1911–February 2, 1988), was a politician from the U.S. State of Michigan. A Democrat, Williams served for twelve years as Governor of Michigan and also served on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan to Henry P. Williams and Elma Mennen—a prominent family. His mother's father, Gerhard H. Mennen, was the founder of the Mennen brand of men's personal care products (now marketed by the Colgate-Palmolive company). Because of this, Williams acquired the popular nickname Soapy.

Williams attended the Salisbury School in Connecticut, a highly exclusive Episcopalian preparatory school. He graduated from Princeton University in 1933 and received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Williams married the former Nancy Quirk daughter of a prominent Ypsilanti family involved in banking and paper milling. While attending the university, she met Mr. Williams on a blind date. The couple married in 1937. The union produced a son, G. Mennen Williams Jr., and two daughters, Nancy Ketterer III and Wendy Stock Williams.

While at law school, Williams became affiliated with the Democratic Party, departing from his family's strong ties to the Republican Party. He worked with the law firm Griffiths, Williams and Griffiths from 1936 to 1941. During World War II, he served four years in the United States Navy as an air combat intelligence officer in the South Pacific. He achieved the rank of lieutenant commander and earned ten battle stars.

Williams was named to the state Liquor Control Commission in 1947. The following year he was elected Governor with the support of labor unions and dissident Republicans. He was subsequently elected to a record six two-year terms in that post. Williams left office on January 1, 1961, having served for twelve years, a record equalled only by William Milliken and John Engler. Williams unsuccessfully challenged United States Senator Robert P. Griffin in the 1966 election, but two years later was named by President Lyndon B. Johnson to be U.S. ambassador to the Philippines. Williams was elected to the state Supreme Court in 1970, and in 1983 was named Chief Justice. He left the Court on January 1, 1987 and died February 2, 1988. There was a formal military funeral for him and he was buried in the Protestant Cemetery on Mackinac Island. [Source: Wikipedia]