William Laird III

William Ramsey Laird III (June 2, 1916 – January 7, 1974) was a United States Senator from West Virginia. Born in Keswick, California, he was educated in the public schools. He graduated from Greenbrier Military School, King College (in Bristol, Tennessee) and from West Virginia University in 1944. During the Second World War he served in the United States Navy. He was admitted to the bar in 1944 and commenced the practice of law in West Virginia; he was a member of West Virginia Board of Education in 1955 and a member of the board of directors of Merchants National Bank, Montgomery, West Virginia and the Upper Kanawha Valley Development Association. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Laird Foundation in Montgomery and was State tax commissioner in 1955–1956, when he resigned, having been appointed to the U.S. Senate on March 13, 1956 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Harley M. Kilgore. A Democrat, he served from March 13, 1956, to November 6, 1956. He did not sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto. He was not a candidate for election to fill the vacancy and resumed the practice of law in Fayetteville and Montgomery.

William Laird III
United States Senator from West Virginia
In office March 13, 1956 – November 6, 1956
Preceded by	Harley M. Kilgore
Succeeded by	Chapman Revercomb
Personal details
Born	William Ramsey Laird III (1916-06-02)June 2, 1916 Keswick, California, U.S.
Died	January 7, 1974(1974-01-07) (aged 57) Montgomery, West Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Clara Cooke
Children	3, including William IV
Alma mater	Greenbrier Military School King College West Virginia University
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Battles/wars	World War II

Laird died in Montgomery in 1974; his remains were interred in Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.

He had three children, including William Laird IV.[1]