William S. Heatly
Encyclopedia
William S. "Bill" Heatly (1912–1984) was a Democratic
member of the Texas House of Representatives
from 1955-1983. Known as the "Duke of Paducah
", a reference to his hometown of Paducah, the seat of Cottle County, Heatly wielded significant political power during his tenure in office.
in 1954 and afterward had only four opponents during his twenty-eight years as representative of the nine-county Eightieth District. He became a member of the House Appropriations Committee and its chairman in 1959. In that position Heatly became one of the most influential and controversial figures in the legislature, and he seldom concealed the joy with which he wielded his power. He was credited with major investments in the state's mental-health programs, the state prison system, programs for troubled and wayward youth, and cancer research and treatment. He made several enemies because of his reluctance to spend state funds on what he considered "superfluous" programs and his generosity to favored institutions and agencies.
Often Heatly was accused of using the appropriations bill to induce fellow legislators to vote his way. Many colleagues complained about his ruthless, domineering behavior, which included calling up influential people in their districts to put political pressure on them. Heatly, however, defended the practice by declaring that there was nothing wrong with "practical politics" and recommending that legislators be influenced by hometown voters instead of Austin lobbyists. Governor Preston Smith
endorsed Heatly, and he obtained several state-funded projects for his district.
His twenty-four-year tenure on the appropriations committee and the twelve he served as chairman both set records unmatched for at least another decade. Frustrated by the Legislative Redistricting Board's 1980 plan for the West Texas counties, Heatly retired from politics in 1982 and returned to his home in Paducah, in order to "take some time to spoil his nine grandchildren." He was a thirty-third-degree Mason
. He was also a past president of the Paducah Lions Club and an elder in the Paducah First Christian Church. On February 25, 1984, he died in his sleep at his home from an apparent heart attack. He was interred in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Paducah.
Heatly's grandson, J. Staley Heatly, was elected 46th Judicial District attorney in November 2006.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
from 1955-1983. Known as the "Duke of Paducah
Paducah, Texas
Paducah is a town in Cottle County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cottle County...
", a reference to his hometown of Paducah, the seat of Cottle County, Heatly wielded significant political power during his tenure in office.
Political career
Heatly was elected to the Texas House of RepresentativesTexas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
in 1954 and afterward had only four opponents during his twenty-eight years as representative of the nine-county Eightieth District. He became a member of the House Appropriations Committee and its chairman in 1959. In that position Heatly became one of the most influential and controversial figures in the legislature, and he seldom concealed the joy with which he wielded his power. He was credited with major investments in the state's mental-health programs, the state prison system, programs for troubled and wayward youth, and cancer research and treatment. He made several enemies because of his reluctance to spend state funds on what he considered "superfluous" programs and his generosity to favored institutions and agencies.
Often Heatly was accused of using the appropriations bill to induce fellow legislators to vote his way. Many colleagues complained about his ruthless, domineering behavior, which included calling up influential people in their districts to put political pressure on them. Heatly, however, defended the practice by declaring that there was nothing wrong with "practical politics" and recommending that legislators be influenced by hometown voters instead of Austin lobbyists. Governor Preston Smith
Preston Smith (Texas)
Preston Earnest Smith was the 40th Governor of Texas from 1969 to 1973, who earlier served as the lieutenant governor from 1963 to 1969.-Early life:...
endorsed Heatly, and he obtained several state-funded projects for his district.
His twenty-four-year tenure on the appropriations committee and the twelve he served as chairman both set records unmatched for at least another decade. Frustrated by the Legislative Redistricting Board's 1980 plan for the West Texas counties, Heatly retired from politics in 1982 and returned to his home in Paducah, in order to "take some time to spoil his nine grandchildren." He was a thirty-third-degree Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
. He was also a past president of the Paducah Lions Club and an elder in the Paducah First Christian Church. On February 25, 1984, he died in his sleep at his home from an apparent heart attack. He was interred in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Paducah.
Legacy
Heatly's son, Gene Heatly, served as 46th Judicial District attorney from 1977 to 1988. Heatly's son, Williams H. "Bill" Heatly, also a Democrat, is currently serving as 50th Judicial District judge, having been elected in 2004.Heatly's grandson, J. Staley Heatly, was elected 46th Judicial District attorney in November 2006.