William Joel Blass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Joel Blass
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William Joel Blass, State Representative in Mississippi Legislature, 1953-60.
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| Born | October 19, 1917 Clinton, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Died | October 23, 2012 (aged 95) |
William Joel Blass (born October 19, 1917, died October 23, 2012) was an American who served his country in the military. He was also a lawyer, a teacher, and a politician. He made important contributions in Mississippi throughout his life.
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Early Life and Military Service
Joel Blass was born in Clinton, Mississippi. He grew up and went to school in Mississippi and Louisiana. This was during the Great Depression, a tough time for many families.
He studied law at Louisiana State University (LSU) and graduated in 1940. After college, he joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He served in World War II in Europe with the Third Army. He was there until VE Day, which marked the end of the war in Europe. For his bravery, he received the Bronze Star medal. He reached the rank of major. Blass also served in the military again during the Korean War.
A Career in Law and Politics
After his military service, Blass moved to Wiggins, Mississippi in 1947. He started his own law firm there. In 1953, he was elected to represent Stone County in the Mississippi State Legislature. He served two terms, which means he was a state representative for eight years.
During his time in the legislature, he stood against the White Citizen's Council. This group promoted racist ideas and segregation. Blass retired from the state legislature in 1960. He continued to work as a lawyer in Wiggins and also had an office in Gulfport, MS.
Teaching Law
In the 1960s, Blass became a teacher at the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford, MS. He taught there for six years. During this time, he was recognized as a top trial lawyer. He also won the Teacher's Excellence Award in 1969.
After leaving the university, he continued his law practice on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 1989, the Governor of Mississippi appointed him to serve on the Supreme Court of Mississippi. This is the highest court in the state. He served for a short time but was not elected for a full term in 1990.
In 1992, Blass returned to the University of Mississippi School of Law. He served as a special lecturer, sharing his knowledge about Admiralty law. This is a special type of law that deals with ships and the sea.
Honored for His Work
In 1995, a group for lawyers called the American Inns of Court was formed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was named after three respected judges, including Justice Blass. This honor showed that he was a role model for other lawyers. In 1999-2000, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi State Bar Association. This award recognized his long and successful career in law.
Family Life
Joel Blass had five children. He also had nine grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He passed away on October 23, 2012, and is buried in Saint Paul Catholic Cemetery in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
