G. Mennen Williams

Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan to a prominent family. His mother's father was the founder of the Mennen brand of men's personal care products (now marketed by the Colgate-Palmolive company). Because of this, Williams acquired the popular nickname Soapy.

Williams attended the Salisbury School in Connecticut, a highly exclusive Episcopalian preparatory school. He graduated from Princeton University in 1933 and received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. While at law school, Williams beacame affiliated with the Democratic Party, departing from his family's strong ties to the Rebublican Party.

He worked with the law firm Griffiths, Williams and Griffiths from 1936 to 1941. During World War II, he served four years in the United States Navy as an air combat intelligence officer in the South Pacific. He achieved the rank of lieutenant commander and earned ten battle stars.

Williams was named to the Liquor Control Commission in 1947. The following year he was elected Governor with the support of labor unions and dissident Republicans. He was subsequently elected to a record six two-year terms in that post. Williams left office in 1960, having served for twelve years, a record equalled only by William Milliken and John Engler. Williams unsuccessfully challenged United States Senator Robert P. Griffin in the 1966 election, but two years later was named by President Lyndon B. Johnson to be U.S. ambassador to the Philippines. Williams was elected to the state Supreme Court in 1970, and in 1983 was named Chief Justice. He left the Court in 1986 and died February 2, 1988. There was a formal military funeral for him and he was buried in the Protestant Cemetery on Mackinac Island.

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