Bill Birchfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
W.O. Bill Birchfield
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 21st district | |
| In office 1971–1974 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Otto Birchfield Jr.
December 19, 1935 Mayo, Florida |
| Died | February 5, 2016 (aged 80) Jacksonville, Florida |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouses | Anne Layton, divorced in 1995 Dana Lynn Ferrell 1997 – his death |
| Relations | Hal F.B. Birchfield, Ben Birchfield, James Birchfield Brothers |
| Children | Mary Anne, Meg, Bill & Frank |
| Residences | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Alma mater | University of Florida |
| Occupation | Attorney |
William O. Birchfield Jr. (December 19, 1935 – February 5, 2016) was an important person in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a politician, a lawyer, and a leader in his community. He often called himself the "Duke of Mayo" because he was born and grew up in that small town.
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Early Life and Education
Bill Birchfield was born in Mayo, Florida. He finished high school in 1954. He then went to the University of Florida and studied agriculture. He was part of several important student groups, like Alpha Gamma Rho and Florida Blue Key. In 1957, he was even named to the UF Hall of Fame.
After getting his first degree in 1958, Birchfield joined the United States Navy. Later, he decided to study law. He went to the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida. He earned his law degree in 1963. In 1964, he was officially allowed to practice law in Florida. The University of Florida honored him again in 1989 for his achievements.
Career as a Lawyer
Birchfield started his law career in Jacksonville in 1964. He joined a law firm and became part of the Jacksonville Bar Association, a group for lawyers. He also helped with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, which provides legal help to people who cannot afford it.
People remembered Bill Birchfield for his smart ideas and his great sense of humor. He used his humor to help solve tough problems in politics and law. He was allowed to practice law in many important courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States.
Helping Jacksonville Grow
In 1965, a plan was made to combine the governments of Jacksonville City and Duval County. This idea was called "consolidation." Bill Birchfield joined a group that worked on this plan. They created a document called Blueprint for Improvement. This plan was voted on in 1967 and approved by the people of Jacksonville. On October 1, 1968, the new combined government started.
Political Career
In the late 1960s, Birchfield became very interested in politics. He ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives and won. He represented the 21st district as a Democrat.
In his first year, he helped pass a new law about car insurance. He also led the Insurance Committee. In 1971, he was chosen as "the most promising" new lawmaker. He was known for his clever and sometimes sarcastic comments. He served two terms in the Florida House, from 1971 to 1974.
After leaving politics, he joined a law firm. Over the years, the firm changed names and grew. It became one of the biggest law firms in Jacksonville, focusing on corporate law.
Improving Transportation in Jacksonville
After his time in politics, Birchfield was asked to join the board of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). This group plans and manages transportation in the city.
Dames Point Bridge
Birchfield was a big supporter of building the Dames Point Bridge. Some people thought the bridge was not needed. At that time, crossing the St. Johns River from north Arlington or the beaches was difficult. You either took a ferry or drove a very long way. Birchfield and the JTA board saw that the areas east of downtown were growing fast. They knew a new bridge would help. Today, the Dames Point Bridge is a key part of Interstate 295.
Butler Boulevard
In the 1970s, there were only two main roads to the beaches: Atlantic Boulevard and Beach Boulevard. Both had many traffic lights, making commutes very slow. Birchfield and the JTA board suggested building a new, faster road called J Turner Butler Boulevard. This new road would have fewer stops.
Many people called it "the road to nowhere" because it went through undeveloped land. But construction started in 1978. As new parts of the road opened, more areas around it developed. By the time it was finished in 1997, Butler Boulevard had become a very busy road for commuters. Birchfield served on the JTA board for eight years, including time as its chairman.
Jacksonville Skyway
In the early 1970s, money was available from the government for "people mover" projects. These are systems that move people short distances, often in cities. The JTA, with Birchfield's support, applied for a grant to build the Jacksonville Skyway. This was a monorail system for downtown Jacksonville. They received a large grant to start building it.
Jacksonville Port Authority
After his time with the JTA, Birchfield was appointed to the Jacksonville Port Authority board. This group manages the city's port. He served for four years and was chairman in 1985. That year, he received an award for being an "Outstanding Political Leader." He continued to support important projects like Butler Boulevard, the Dames Point Bridge, and the Skyway.
Later Career
In 2000, Birchfield joined a new law firm. Later, in 2001, he moved to another firm to focus on specific types of law, like eminent domain (when the government takes private land for public use). In 2004, he started his own law firm, Birchfield & Humphrey, P.A. He was known as one of the best lawyers in his field. He continued to work as a lawyer until shortly before he passed away.
Community Involvement
Bill Birchfield was very involved in his community. He volunteered his time and knowledge to many groups. He was president of the Meninak Club and the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association. He also helped organizations like Leadership Jacksonville, the Child Guidance Center, and the public television station WJCT. He truly cared about making Jacksonville a better place.
Personal Life
Bill Birchfield married Anne Layton in 1960. They had four children: Margaret (Meg), Mary Anne, Frank, and William III. They divorced in 1996. In 1997, he married Dana Lynn Ferrell, and they were together until his death in 2016.
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W.O. Bill Birchfield
