Governor of Vermont. Raised in Vergennes, Vermont, he subsequently relocated to Bennington, where he became a department store shoe salesman. In 1915 he founded Wills Insurance, an agency that is still in business. He was also a director of the Bank of Bennington. A Republican, he served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1929 to 1931 and in the Vermont Senate from 1931 to 1933 and from 1935 to 1936, for most of that time as Senate President. After two terms as Lieutenant Governor (1937 to 1941), Wills was elected Governor in 1940, serving two terms, 1941 to 1945. During his administration he played the lead role in founding the Vermont Higher Education Council to address the educational needs of veterans returning from World War II. In July, 1945 President Truman appointed Wills to the Federal Communications Commission, a post he retained until his death from a heart attack.
Governor of Vermont. Raised in Vergennes, Vermont, he subsequently relocated to Bennington, where he became a department store shoe salesman. In 1915 he founded Wills Insurance, an agency that is still in business. He was also a director of the Bank of Bennington. A Republican, he served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1929 to 1931 and in the Vermont Senate from 1931 to 1933 and from 1935 to 1936, for most of that time as Senate President. After two terms as Lieutenant Governor (1937 to 1941), Wills was elected Governor in 1940, serving two terms, 1941 to 1945. During his administration he played the lead role in founding the Vermont Higher Education Council to address the educational needs of veterans returning from World War II. In July, 1945 President Truman appointed Wills to the Federal Communications Commission, a post he retained until his death from a heart attack.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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