William "Bill" Wynne is an award-winning photographer and photojournalist. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Wynne was a student at West Technical High School, studying horticulture and photography. After graduating from secondary school, he served as an aerial photographer, lab technician, and camera operator as part of the photo reconnaissance squadron of the U.S. Air Force during World War II, which included stints in the Southwest Pacific and the Far East.
Wynne worked as a photographer for the Plain Dealer newspaper, capturing moving images of political and social significance, as well as nature and ordinary moments in daily life. A social justice advocate, Wynne won numerous awards for his work, including the National Conference of Jews and Christians Brotherhood prize ("Grins of Spring" and "Summation"). Wynne was also honored as part of the Plain Dealer investigative team that exposed the deplorable conditions and abuses at Lima State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in the 1970s, inspiring then Governor John Gilligan to open an investigation into the matter.
Wynne married Margaret Roberts Wynne in 1946, raising nine children and sharing over 57 years together until her death in 2004.
From the guide to the William Wynne Photography Collection, 1950-1984, (Cleveland State University)
