Willis, Simeon S., 1879-1965

Simeon Willis, governor of Kentucky during 1943-47, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, in 1879, to John H. and Abigail Slavens Wills. His family moved to Greenup County, Kentucky, around 1889. Willis studied law under private tutors and eventually becam a lawyer and opened a practice in Ashland at the turn of the century. He married Idah Lee Millis of Cattlesburg, Kentucky on April 14, 1920. They had one daughter, Sally Lesley Willis, who married Lt. Henry Meigs II on December 30, 1944 and had one son, Simeon Willis Meigs. He defeated Democratic opponent J. Lyter Donaldson to become governor of Kentucky in 1943. He died in Frankfort on April 2, 1965, and was buried in Frankfort Cemetery.

Governor, jurist.

Born in Ohio, Willis settled in Kentucky at an early age. In 1901, he passed the state bar examination and established a law practice in Ashland, Kentucky. Willis was appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals where he served from 1927-1932. In 1943, he became the sixth Republican Governor elected in Kentucky history by narrowly defeating Democratic candidate, J. Lyter Donaldson. Viewed as a significant off-year election, this vote was interpreted as a protest against President Roosevelt's war-time administration. After serving as Governor (1943-1947) Willis was defeated in an election for judge of the Court of Appeals from the Seventh District in 1951. Throughout his life, Willis remained active in the state Republican party.