Straley, Walter William, 1913-1999

Walter William Straley (1913-1999) was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Manderson, Wyo., where his father worked as a railroad depot agent and town mayor. After his father lost his job with the railway, the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Straley left home at age fifteen but later returned and graduated from North High School in 1928. He went on to attend Grinnell College and earn a degree in drama. After graduation he worked for a short time as a radio announcer. He enjoyed acting and reportedly competed against Ronald Reagan in a Des Moines repertory theater.In 1933, Straley accepted an entry level position with Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. selling services and collecting overdue bills in the Des Moines office. There he met his future wife Rachel Worthington, and they were married in 1938. The couple had five children. Straley excelled at public speaking and soon began moving up in the Bell Company. The family relocated every three or four years as his position changed in the company. In 1961, he became founding president of Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle and was the youngest president in the company at the time. His progressive policies reduced management and hired African Americans for the first time. He had a lifelong commitment to community service and headed the Seattle Area Industrial Council. He served as president of the Century 21 Center, Inc. and was a member of the planning team for the Seattle World's Fair. Straley was well-connected in the business community and active in obtaining corporate and political sponsorship for fair exhibits. The large Bell Systems Pavilion had a variety of state-of-the art telecommunications displays. After five years at Pacific Northwest Bell, in 1966 Straley was transferred to New York and became a vice president for AT&T. He continued his commitment to racial equality in hiring and corporate public service. In 1971, he retired from AT&T and returned to Seattle where he managed a consulting practice and became president of the Seattle Symphony Board. He campaigned for Democratic candidates and helped found the Straley House, a transitional home for street children in the University District. He remained active in local politics and community service until his death in 1999.

From the description of Walter Straley Century 21 Exposition photograph collection, 1961-1963. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 756854241

Walter William Straley (1913-1999) was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Manderson, Wyoming where his father worked as a railroad depot agent and town mayor. After his father lost his job with the railway, the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Walter left home at age fifteen but later returned and graduated from North High School in 1928. He was a popular, charismatic student and went on to attend Grinnell College and earn a degree in drama, the first in his family to pursue a higher education. After graduation Walter worked for a short time as a radio announcer. He enjoyed acting and reportedly competed against Ronald Reagan in a Des Moines repertory theater.

In 1933, Straley accepted an entry level position with Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. selling services and collecting overdue bills in the Des Moines office. There he met his future wife Rachel Worthington, and they were married in 1938. The couple had five children.

Straley excelled at public speaking and soon began moving up in the Bell Company. The family relocated every 3 or 4 years as his position changed in the company. In 1961, he became founding president of Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle and was the youngest president in the company at the time. His progressive policies reduced management and hired African Americans for the first time. He had a lifelong commitment to community service and headed the Seattle Area Industrial Council. He served as president of the Century 21 Center, Inc. and was a member of the planning team for the Seattle World’s Fair. Straley was well-connected in the business community and active in obtaining corporate and political sponsorship for fair exhibits. The large Bell Systems Pavilion had a variety of state-of-the art telecommunications displays.

After five years at Pacific Northwest Bell, in 1966 Straley was transferred to New York and became a vice president for AT&T. He continued his commitment to racial equality in hiring and corporate public service. In 1971, he retired from AT&T and returned to Seattle where he managed a consulting practice and became president of the Seattle Symphony Board. He campaigned for Democratic candidates and helped found the Straley House, a transitional home for street children in the University District. He remained active in local politics and community service until his death in 1999.

From the guide to the Walter Straley Century 21 Exposition Photograph Collection, 1961-1963, (Museum of History & Industry Sophie Frye Bass Library)