Former Mississippi Governor William Winter dies at the age of 97

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A Democrat, Winter served as governor from 1980 to 1984 and is best known for passing the Education Reform Act of 1982, which reformed the state’s public education system.

Known as Mississippi’s education governor, Winter secured the continuation of landmark education initiatives in 1982 that brought preschool, compulsory education and a range of other major reforms to a state plagued by poverty and illiteracy, ”said a statement by Dick Molpus, family spokesman and former Mississippi Secretary of State.

“(Winter) fought for justice in education through the Education Reform Act of 1982, which set high standards for students, teachers, and schools and established a free public kindergarten for all children.

“His work will live on in generations of Mississippians whose lives were changed by the opportunities their education offered them,” she said.

Winter’s alma mater, the University of Mississippi, said on Twitter that he had been “a pillar of racial reconciliation and champion for Mississippi”.

Threatened by the Klan

After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Winter was elected to the Mississippi Legislature in 1947 while still a student at Ole Miss Law School, the family statement said.

Winter’s family said he opposed the Klu Klux Klan and White Citizens Councils and their position on strict racial segregation in the 1950s and 1960s, with the KKK threatening his life when he first went to governor in vain in 1967.

Winter was part of an effort to remove the southern combat emblem from the Mississippi state flag through a statewide referendum in 2001. The flag was eventually retired earlier this year.
In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton appointed Winter as a member of the National Commission on Race. Winter expanded that work for racial harmony with the creation of the Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, the family statement said.
Clinton released a statement on Saturday expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work and learn with Winter.

“With the death of Governor William F. Winter, Mississippi has lost one of the greatest champions of equality, reconciliation, and progress; and I have lost a friend, an inspiration, and one of the best people I have ever known.” Clinton said.

Bill had a gift to see his state as it was, to imagine what it could be and to take the difficult but necessary steps to get there. His bold efforts to reform education, fight poverty and bringing people together across racial lines showed the promise of a new Mississippi, ”he said.

Hillary and I offer our condolences to his wonderful wife of 70, Elise; their daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; to all those he has strengthened through his example and friendship, and to the countless people who know their lives are better today because of his service. “

Winter’s life and 75 years of public service were chronicled in an Emmy Award-winning documentary “The Toughest Job,” the statement said, and his political courage was recognized when he received the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award in 2008.

The current Mississippi administration, Tate Reeves, tweeted that he and his wife were deeply saddened by Winter’s death.

He really loved this state and his country. And the people of Mississippi loved him too. He will be missed by all of us. ‘ Reeves’ post said.

Winter is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elise Varner Winter; according to the statement three daughters Anne Winter, Lele Gillespie and Eleanor Winter and five grandchildren.

“A memorial service will be held once the dangers of Covid-19 subside and it is safe to gather for a service,” he said.

Winter’s cause of death has not yet been announced.

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