William Worthing

William Worthing
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 6th district
In office
January 5, 1937 – January 3, 1939
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded bySam Klaver
Member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from the 17th district
In office
January 1, 1935 – October 25, 1935
Preceded byJackson B. Chase
Succeeded byGeorge E. Truman
Personal details
Born(1909-07-28)July 28, 1909
Omaha, Nebraska
DiedJuly 26, 1988(1988-07-26) (aged 78)
Carlsbad, California
PartyDemocratic
EducationCreighton University (Ph.B., LL.B.)
OccupationAttorney, general agent

William Edward Worthing (July 28, 1909 – July 26, 1988) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from the 17th district in 1935 and as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 6th district from 1937 to 1939.

Early life

Worthing was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1909.[1] He graduated from Omaha Tech High School and later attended Creighton University. While at Creighton, he played as a starting forward on the basketball team and as quarterback and halfback on the football teams. Worthing was inducted into the Creighton University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970.[2] He graduated from Creighton with his bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1932, and from the School of Law in 1934.[3]

Nebraska House of Representatives

In 1934, Republican State Representative Jackson B. Chase announced that he would run for Attorney General,[4] and Worthing ran to succeed him in the 17th district.[5] In the Democratic primary, he faced accountant John Ryan, printer Willard Larson, and attorney George E. Truman.[6] Worthing narrowly won the primary, receiving 33 percent of the vote to Ryan's 31 percent, a margin of 32 votes.[7] Worthing faced Hunter Scott, the Republican nominee, in the general election, and defeated him with 52 percent of the vote.[8]

Works Progress Administration

Worthing was appointed as the assistant personal officer for the Works Progress Administration in Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties.[9] When Governor Robert Cochran called a special session in October 1935 for a state relief bill, Worthing's ability to serve was challenged in light of a state constitutional provision on dual office-holding.[10] Worthing subsequently resigned from the legislature on October 25, 1935, in advance of the special session.[11]

On March 4, 1936, Worthing resigned from the WPA, and resumed the practice of law, joining the firm of Crofoot, Frasier, Connolly & Stryker.[12]

Nebraska Legislature

Following the abolition of the bicameral legislature and creation of a unicameral legislature, Worthing ran for the newly created 6th district. He faced a crowded field of nineteen opponents, and placed first. Worthing proceeded to the general election with attorney Sam Klaver.[13] He defeated Klaver with 56 percent of the vote.[14]

Worthing ran for re-election in 1938, and was challenged by Klaver again. The contest between the two was close, and Klaver appeared to narrowly defeat Worthing by a 31-vote margin.[15] Worthing initially announced that he would contest the election before the state legislature,[16] but on December 29, 1938, conceded the race.[15]

Post-legislative career

After leaving the legislature, Worthing remained active in politics, registering as a lobbyist and managing former Governor Keith Neville's Omaha-area campaign operations in 1940.[17] He later moved to Los Angeles, California, to manage the Hall-Worthing Agency, a regional claims representative for Mutual of Omaha.[18]

Death

Worthing died on July 26, 1988, in Carlsbad, California.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Nebraska Blue Book 1938 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1939. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Creighton To Honor Worthing". Lincoln Star. April 15, 1970. p. 26. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Worthing, 79, Dies; Member of CU Hall". Omaha World-Herald. August 4, 1988. p. 40. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Jackson B. Chase Is Candidate for Attorney General". Evening World-Herald. June 13, 1994. p. 4. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Billy Worthing Creighton Star Is a Candidate". The True Voice. Omaha, Nebraska: Diocese of Omaha. August 3, 1934. p. 3. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Who's Who in the Douglas Primary". Omaha World-Herald. August 9, 1934. p. 16. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Swanson, Harry R. (1934). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, Held August 14, 1934 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  8. ↑ Swanson, Harry R. (1934). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, General Election, Held November 6, 1934 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ "William E. Worthing Gets Post with WPA". Evening World-Herald. July 22, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Five Omaha Legislators Are Not Now Eligible". Lincoln Star. September 26, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Four Omaha Legislators Resign". Omaha Bee-News. October 25, 1935. p. 2. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Worthing Resigns Position with WPA". Evening World-Herald. March 5, 1936. p. 16. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Mail Ballots Decide Race". Omaha World-Herald. April 17, 1936. p. 11. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Nebraska Blue Book 1936 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1937. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Worthing Not to Contest". Evening World-Herald. December 30, 1938. p. 21. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Contest of Election Planned by Omahans". Star-Herald. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. November 30, 1938. p. 5. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Pot Starts to Boil: Observers See Political Action in Offing". Hastings Daily Tribune. March 14, 1940. p. 2. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "What Ever Happened to—Wee Willie Worthing?". Omaha World-Herald. August 16, 1962. p. 20M. Retrieved August 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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