Governor William Henry Avery

WILLIAM H. AVERY was born in Wakefield, Kansas on August 11, 1911. In 1934 he received a B.A. from Kansas University. After graduating he became a farmer and stockman near Wakefied. Public offices include: Wakefield Rural High School Board of Education, 1946-1951; member, Kansas House of Representatives, 1951-1955; member off the legislative council of Kansas from 1953 to 1955; member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1955-1965. Avery was elected Governor of Kansas in 1964 and served one term. He has been a member of Wakefield Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Clay County Farm Bureau, and Kansas Wildlife Federation. After leaving public office, Avery became president of the Real Petroleum Company. He died November 4, 2009.