Governor of North Dakota. William Lewis Guy was born in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, North Dakota. In 1941 he received his Bachelor’s Degree from North Dakota Agricultural College; in 1946 he earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. During World War II he enlisted with the Navy, serving as a Lieutenant aboard the USS William D. Porter. Following the war, Guy returned home, and operated his own farm. He also served as a County Agent and taught Agricultural Economics at North Dakota Agricultural College. In 1958 he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, and served from 1959 until 1961. In 1960 Guy was elected to the first of four terms as Governor of North Dakota, serving from January 4, 1961 until January 2, 1973. Guy remains the longest serving Governor in the state’s history. During his tenure Guy sought to lure industry and jobs into the region. He assisted farmers by bringing beet refineries to the state, boosted tourism by creating the Old West Trail, helped to expedite the Interstate Highway through North Dakota and improved the quality of care for mental health patients in the state. Guy did not seek re-election to a fifth term as Governor. In 1974 he was defeated in a bid for the U.S. Senate, losing the race by only 186 votes. Guy remained active in creating polices and helping to solve issues faced by the state. In 1975 he organized the ten-state Western Governors’ Regional Energy Policy Office, and served as its Staff Director. Later he organized the North Dakota Community Foundation, serving as the Executive Director. He also worked as a resources consultant for Basin Electric. Guy died on April 26, 2013 in West Fargo, North Dakota.
Governor of North Dakota. William Lewis Guy was born in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, North Dakota. In 1941 he received his Bachelor’s Degree from North Dakota Agricultural College; in 1946 he earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. During World War II he enlisted with the Navy, serving as a Lieutenant aboard the USS William D. Porter. Following the war, Guy returned home, and operated his own farm. He also served as a County Agent and taught Agricultural Economics at North Dakota Agricultural College. In 1958 he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, and served from 1959 until 1961. In 1960 Guy was elected to the first of four terms as Governor of North Dakota, serving from January 4, 1961 until January 2, 1973. Guy remains the longest serving Governor in the state’s history. During his tenure Guy sought to lure industry and jobs into the region. He assisted farmers by bringing beet refineries to the state, boosted tourism by creating the Old West Trail, helped to expedite the Interstate Highway through North Dakota and improved the quality of care for mental health patients in the state. Guy did not seek re-election to a fifth term as Governor. In 1974 he was defeated in a bid for the U.S. Senate, losing the race by only 186 votes. Guy remained active in creating polices and helping to solve issues faced by the state. In 1975 he organized the ten-state Western Governors’ Regional Energy Policy Office, and served as its Staff Director. Later he organized the North Dakota Community Foundation, serving as the Executive Director. He also worked as a resources consultant for Basin Electric. Guy died on April 26, 2013 in West Fargo, North Dakota.
Bio by: Ernest
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