William F. Norrell

William Frank Norrell (August 29, 1896 – February 15, 1961) was a U.S. Representative from Arkansas' former 6th congressional district. Upon his death, he was succeeded in Congress by his widow, Catherine Dorris Norrell.

William F. Norrell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 6th district
In office January 3, 1939 – February 15, 1961
Preceded by	John L. McClellan
Succeeded by	Catherine Dorris Norrell
Arkansas State Senator
In office 1930–1938
President of the Arkansas State Senate
In office 1934–1938
Preceded by	Ned Stewart
Succeeded by	Fred S. Armstrong
Personal details
Born	William Frank Norrell (1896-08-29)August 29, 1896 Milo, Ashley County Arkansas, USA
Died	February 15, 1961(1961-02-15) (aged 64) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, Arkansas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Catherine Dorris Norrell
Children	Judy Norrell
Residence	Monticello, Drew County, Arkansas
Alma mater	University of Arkansas at Monticello University of the Ozarks University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School
Occupation	Attorney
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Quartermaster
Battles/wars	World War I

Born in Milo in Ashley County in south Arkansas, Norrell attended the public schools, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, then known as Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College, the University of the Ozarks, then College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School. During World War I, Norrell served in the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army. In 1920, he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Monticello in Drew County, Arkansas. From 1930 to 1938, Norrell served as member of the Arkansas State Senate. He was the Senate President from 1934 to 1938 under Lieutenant Governors William Lee Cazort and Robert L. Bailey.

Norrell was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1939, until his death in Washington, D.C. He was a signatory to the 1956 Southern Manifesto that opposed the desegregation of public schools ordered by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education.

He is interred beside his wife at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, Arkansas.