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Curtis M. Williams

Range of Years Served: 
1948-1949
Party: 
Democrat
Served as Secretary of State: Nov. 22, 1948 – Jan. 3, 1949 Born: Oct. 10, 1896, Hatchechubbee, Russell County, Alabama Died: June 8, 1969, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz. Buried: June 11, 1969, Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz. Williams was appointed secretary of state in November of 1948 to fill the unexpired term of Sec. Dan E. Garvey who became governor. The 18th Arizona State Legislature, 7th Special Session (Sept. 13, 1948 – Oct. 14, 1948) passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 "A Concurrent Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Arizona Relating to Gubernatorial Succession" which was referred to the voters on the Nov. 2, 1948, ballot. This passed and, on Nov. 22, 1948, "Gov. Garvey's first official act was appointment of his former assistant, Curtis M. Williams as secretary of state. Williams will now receive the salary of the office. Williams has been acting secretary since Garvey became acting governor. He will be succeeded as secretary of state on Jan. 3 by Wesley Bolin, justice of the peace in the west Phoenix precinct, who won the office on the Democratic ticket." ("Garvey Sworn in as Governor." Tucson Daily Citizen, Nov. 23, 1948, p. 1)

Biography

Name:  Curtis Maugham Williams

Name as Secretary of State:  Curtis M. Williams

Notes: When Gov. Sidney P. Osborn died on May 25, 1948 and the Arizona State Constitution was examined, there was a question about whether the Secretary of State, Daniel E. Garvey, was Governor or Acting Governor.  This uncertainty included how the vacancy in the office of Secretary of State would be filled.  The 18th Arizona State Legislature, 7th Special Session (Sept. 13, 1948 - Oct. 14, 1948) passed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 “A Concurrent Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Arizona Relating to Gubernatorial Succession” which was referred to the November 2, 1948 ballot.  This passed and, on November 22, 1948, “Gov. Garvey's first official act was appointment of his former assistant, Curtis M. Williams as secretary of state.  Williams will now receive the salary of the office.  Williams has been acting secretary since Garvey became acting governor.  He will be succeeded as secretary of state on Jan. 3 by Wesley Bolin, justice of the peace in the west Phoenix precinct, who won the office on the Democratic ticket.”  ("Garvey Sworn in as Governor."  Tucson Daily Citizen, November 23, 1948 p. 1)

Military Service: U.S. Navy, veteran of World War I

Occupations:  Homesteaded in Casa Grande; hotel management; real estate; clerk for a public utility; assistant Secretary of State; Veterans Service Officer; Arizona State Highway Dept. drivers license bureau chief

Memberships: Past commander of Luke Greenway Post No. 1 of the American Legion; Phoenix Art Museum

Sources:  Birth:  DOB:  SSDI, POB:  1927 AZ birth record of son; Middle Name:  1927 AZ birth record of son; Military Service:  1920 and 1930 U.S. census records; Occupations, Death and Burial:  “Curtis M. Williams, 72, Once Secretary of State.”  The Arizona Republic from the Arizona History and Archives files.