William Evans Burney (September 11, 1893 – January 29, 1969) was an American businessman and politician who briefly served as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Colorado from 1940 to 1941. He was elected to fill the vacancy created by the death of Representative John Andrew Martin.

William E. Burney
November 1940 Newspaper Enterprise Association photo published in newspapers nationwide following Burney's election to Congress.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 3rd district
In office
November 5, 1940 – January 3, 1941
Preceded byJohn Andrew Martin
Succeeded byJohn Edgar Chenoweth
Personal details
Born
William Evans Burney

(1893-01-29)January 29, 1893
Hubbard, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 11, 1969(1969-09-11) (aged 76)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Resting placeFairmount Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic Party
EducationUniversity of New Mexico at Albuquerque
Military service
Allegiance United States
Years of service1924–1942

Early life and career edit

Born in Hubbard, Texas, Burney attended the public schools in Texas and the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque. During the First World War, he served in the United States Navy. He moved to Pueblo, Colorado, in 1924 and built a career in the life insurance business. He served as member of the Pueblo board of education from 1937 to 1943. He also served as member of the United States Army Reserve Corps 1924 to 1942, eventually earning the rank of major.[citation needed]

Election to Congress edit

Burney was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John A. Martin. The seat had been vacant for nearly a year as Martin had died late in 1939.[1]

Burney served from November 5, 1940, to January 3, 1941 and did not seek re-election to a full term in the Seventy-seventh Congress.[citation needed]

Career after Congress edit

He was called to active duty in the Army in January 1942 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in October 1942. He returned to the United States from India and took command of Camp Ross in May 1945. He left the service in December 1945 with the rank of colonel.[citation needed]

After leaving the military, he resumed his career in the life insurance business until his retirement.

Death and burial edit

He died in Denver, Colorado, January 29, 1969 and was interred in Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.

Electoral history edit

1940 Colorado's 3rd congressional district special election[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William E. Burney 68,225 51%
Republican Henry Leonard 65,675 49%
Total votes 133,900 100%
Democratic hold

References edit

  1. ^ "Obituary for John Andrew Martin (Aged 71)". The Spokesman-Review. December 24, 1939. p. 5. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - CO District 3 - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1940". www.ourcampaigns.com.

External links edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 3rd congressional district

1940–1941
Succeeded by