 | This article includes alist of references,related reading, orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations. Please helpimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(March 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Billy Matthews | |
|---|---|
_Matthews.jpg) | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromFlorida's8th district | |
| In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | William C. Cramer |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives | |
| In office 1935 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Donald Ray Matthews October 3, 1907 |
| Died | October 26, 1997(1997-10-26) (aged 90) |
| Resting place | Hawthorne Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Matthews |
Donald Ray "Billy" Matthews (October 3, 1907 – October 26, 1997) was an American educator,World War II veteran and politician who served seven terms as aU.S. Representative fromFlorida from 1953 to 1967.
Born inMicanopy, Florida, Matthews attended the public schools ofHawthorne, Florida.
He graduated from theUniversity of Florida at Gainesville in 1929 and taught school inLeesburg, Florida, and inOrlando, Florida from 1929 to 1935. He also served as a high school principal inNewberry, Florida in 1935 and 1936.
He served as a member of the State house of representatives in 1935 was a member of the administrative staff of theUniversity of Florida from 1936 to 1952.
He served as assistant State4-H agent in the summers of 1928–1938.
He served in theUnited States Army from 1942 to 1946 and was discharged as a captain of Infantry.
Matthews was elected as aDemocrat to theEighty-third and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1967), during which time he was a signatory to the 1956Southern Manifesto that opposed the desegregation of public schools ordered by the Supreme Court inBrown v. Board of Education.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to theNinetieth Congress in 1966, defeated in the Democratic primary byDon Fuqua.
In his post-congressional years, Matthews worked as a consultant and administrator for the Rural Community Development Service of theUnited States Department of Agriculture from 1967 to 1969. He was also an instructor of political science atSanta Fe Community College (Gainesville, Florida) from 1969 to 1977.
He was a resident ofGainesville, Florida until his death.
Billy Matthews died on October 26, 1997 at the age of 90. He was interred at Hawthorne Cemetery.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by District created | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromFlorida's 8th congressional district 1953-1967 | Succeeded by |
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
