Former Miss. Gov. Bill Waller Has Died

Former Mississippi Gov. William Waller Sr., who parlayed a campaign against the moneybrokers of the state's capital city to win his second race for governor, has died. He was 85.

Waller died Wednesday at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, his law office confirmed. He had been admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night.

Waller ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1967 but turned things around in 1971, when he rallied against the "Capitol Street" gang that was supporting his opponent. Waller went on to win the general election over civil rights leader Charles Evers, who ran as an independent.

Waller was governor from 1972-76 - a time when Mississippi governors were limited to one term.

 


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