William J. Dyess | |
|---|---|
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| 16thAssistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs | |
| In office August 29, 1980 – July 30, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Hodding Carter III |
| Succeeded by | Dean E. Fischer |
| 8thSpokesperson for the United States Department of State | |
| In office 1980–1981 | |
| Preceded by | Hodding Carter III |
| Succeeded by | Dean E. Fischer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1929 Troy, Alabama |
| Died | January 6, 1996(1996-01-06) (aged 66) Washington, DC |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Elizabeth (nee Awad; separated before death) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Alabama (BA, MA) University of Oxford Syracuse University |
William Jennings Dyess (August 1, 1929 – January 6, 1996) was an Americandiplomat who served asAssistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from 1980 to 1981 and asUnited States Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1982 to 1983.[1]
William J. Dyess was born inTroy, Alabama on August 1, 1929. He was educated at theUniversity of Alabama, receiving aB.A. in 1950 and anM.A. ininternational relations in 1951. He then spent the 1951–52 academic year studying at theUniversity of Oxford and 1952–53 atSyracuse University. In 1953, he wasdrafted and spent 1953 to 1956 serving in theUnited States Army. He returned to Syracuse University for 1956–57.
In 1958, Dyess joined theUnited States Foreign Service. He initially worked as an intelligence research specialist for theCentral Intelligence Agency. As aForeign Service Officer, he was posted toBelgrade,Yugoslavia 1961–63; toCopenhagen 1963–65; toMoscow 1966–68; and toBerlin 1968–70.
Dyess returned to the United States in 1970 as an international research officer at theUnited States Department of State. He held that job until 1975, when he became executive director of theBureau of Public Affairs. Two years later he became DeputyAssistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. In 1980,President of the United StatesJimmy Carter named Dyess Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, with Dyess holding this office from August 29, 1980 until July 30, 1981.
In 1982, PresidentRonald Reagan appointed DyessUnited States Ambassador to the Netherlands, and Dyess held that post from September 2, 1982 until July 19, 1983.
Dyess married Mary Elizabeth Awad and together the couple had one son, Chandler Dyess. William and Mary Dyess later separated.
Dyess died ofcancer in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 1996.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs August 29, 1980 – July 30, 1981 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | United States Ambassador to the Netherlands September 2, 1982 – July 19, 1983 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
