Williams, G. Mennen (1911-1988), served six terms as governor of Michigan from 1949 to 1960. Williams, a Democrat, was the first Michigan governor to serve more than three terms.
Gerhard Mennen Williams was born in Detroit on Feb. 23, 1911. He was nicknamed “Soapy” because of his family’s connection with the Mennen Company, a soap and deodorant manufacturer. He graduated from Princeton University in 1933 and earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1936. Williams was assistant attorney general of Michigan in 1938 and 1939. He served in the United States Navy during World War II (1939-1945).
Williams was deputy director of the Michigan branch of the Office of Price Administration in 1946 and 1947. He first won election as governor in 1948. Voters reelected him every two years through 1958. In 1961, Williams became assistant secretary of state for African affairs. He resigned in 1966 and ran unsuccessfully for United States senator from Michigan. He was ambassador to the Philippines from May 1968 to April 1969. Williams served as a justice on the Michigan state Supreme Court from 1971 to 1986. He was the court’s chief justice from 1983 to 1986. He died on Feb. 2, 1988.
