US Congressman. Usually called Will E. Neal, he taught school in Ohio and Kentucky while attending Lebanon, Ohio's National Normal University, from which he graduated in 1900. In 1906 Neal received a medical degree from the University of Cincinnati, afterwards beginning a practice in Huntington. From 1925 to 1928 he served as Mayor of Huntington. He was a member of Huntington's Park Board from 1931 to 1952 and the West Virginia Public Health Council from 1936 to 1940. Neal served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1951 to 1952. In 1952 he was the successful Republican nominee for a seat in the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1953 to 1955. At age 77, Neal was the oldest person to ever begin a first term in the US House. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1954, afterward serving as a medical consultant for the Foreign Operations Administration in Afghanistan. In 1956 he was again elected to the US House, serving one term, 1957 to 1959. Neal was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1958 and returned to Huntington. In September he entered St. Mary's Hospital for treatment of a heart condition, and he died there a month after his 84th birthday.
US Congressman. Usually called Will E. Neal, he taught school in Ohio and Kentucky while attending Lebanon, Ohio's National Normal University, from which he graduated in 1900. In 1906 Neal received a medical degree from the University of Cincinnati, afterwards beginning a practice in Huntington. From 1925 to 1928 he served as Mayor of Huntington. He was a member of Huntington's Park Board from 1931 to 1952 and the West Virginia Public Health Council from 1936 to 1940. Neal served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1951 to 1952. In 1952 he was the successful Republican nominee for a seat in the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1953 to 1955. At age 77, Neal was the oldest person to ever begin a first term in the US House. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1954, afterward serving as a medical consultant for the Foreign Operations Administration in Afghanistan. In 1956 he was again elected to the US House, serving one term, 1957 to 1959. Neal was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1958 and returned to Huntington. In September he entered St. Mary's Hospital for treatment of a heart condition, and he died there a month after his 84th birthday.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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