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Becker, William Henry

Born August 26, 1909, in Brookhaven, MS
Died February 2, 1992, in Columbia, MO

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Nominated by John F. Kennedy on August 21, 1961, to a seat vacated by Albert A. Ridge. Confirmed by the Senate on September 8, 1961, and received commission on September 18, 1961. Served as chief judge, 1965-1977. Assumed senior status on February 8, 1977. Service terminated on February 2, 1992, due to death.

Other Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals, 1977-1992

Education:
University of Missouri School of Law, LL.B., 1932

Professional Career:

Private practice, Columbia, Missouri, 1932-1961
Special counsel, Missouri Insurance Department, 1936-1944
Counsel, Gov. Lloyd Stark, Missouri, in Kansas City criminal investigation, 1938-1939
U.S. Naval Reserve lieutenant, 1944-1945
U.S. Naval Reserve, 1945-1947
Special assistant to director, Economic Stabilization Commission of the United States, 1945-1946
Special commissioner, Supreme Court of Missouri, 1954-1958
Member, U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, 1968-1977

Manuscript Collections

University of Missouri and the State Historical Society of Missouri
Western Historical Manuscript Collection
Columbia, Mo.
William Henry Becker papers, ca. 1952-1992.
34 linear ft.; finding aid; collection contains Becker's legal and judicial papers.

National Archives-Central Plains Region
Kansas City, Kan.
William Henry Becker papers, 1962-1977.
304 cubic ft.; finding aid; restricted; collection contains general correspondence, and administrative and case files.

Oral History

Becker, William Henry. "Biographical Interview of the Honorable William Henry Becker, Senior United States District Judge." Interview conducted in Spring and Summer 1989 by Fredrick M. Spletstoser. Historical Society of the U.S. Courts in the Eighth Circuit, U.S. Courts Library, St. Louis, Missouri, 1989. Transcript, 213 pages. Restricted access.Also available at the U.S. Courts Library, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Kansas City Branch.

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Becker, William Henry