Name Edward Willey Died July 17, 1986 | Resigned 1983 | |
Role Former Virginia State Senator Previous office Virginia State Senator (1952–1983) | ||
Edward Eugene Willey, Sr. (April 17, 1910 – July 17, 1986) of Richmond, Virginia was a pharmacist and politician from Virginia. He served as Senate Majority Leader in the Virginia General Assembly. He was also the father-in-law of Kathleen Willey, who was a figure in the Lewinsky scandal in 1998.
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Biography
He was born on April 17, 1910. He married and had a son, Edward Eugene Willey, Jr. He was a State Senator from 1952 to 1986. He died on July 17, 1986.
Early Life and Education
Born in Middletown, Frederick County, on April 17, 1910, he was one of four children born to Lloyd Clark and Lillah Wright Yates Willey. He grew up in Front Royal, Warren County, where he attended local public schools. Following graduation from Warren County High School, he enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia. Graduating in 1930, he began work as a pharmacist for Springer Drug Company in Richmond. Shortly thereafter, he met his future wife, Twyla Sutton Layton, of Newport News. The couple were married at Virginia Beach on August 20, 1932. He continued to work for Springer Drug until 1940, when he became a partner in Willey Drug Company. He became the sole owner of the pharmacy in the early 1950's.
Politics
Ed Willey first entered public life in 1947, when he accepted appointment to fill a vacancy on the Richmond Board of Aldermen. In 1949, he was unanimously elected by other members of City Council to fill an unexpired term. Councilman Willey would serve from 1949-1951, when he declared for one of Richmond's three Senate seats in the state legislature. On January 19, 1952, Senator Edward E. Willey took the oath and began his career that would span thirty-four years until his death in 1986. In 1971, he became chair of Committee on Finance. He became President pro tempore of the Senate in the 1972 session, and in that role, assumed chairmanship of the Rules Committee. In 1975, Willey stepped down as Rules Chair in order to remain the chairman of Finance, believing that "the man who controls the money down here controls the power."
Death
Following complications from a stroke suffered on June 16, 1986, Senator Willey died one month later on July 17. At the time of his death, he was considered the General Assembly's most powerful legislator. Following services at Centenary United Methodist Church, he was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond.
Legacy
The Edward E. Willey Bridge on State Route 150 which carries Chippenham Parkway across the James River and links the City of Richmond with western Henrico County was named in his honor.