Bill Chappell

William Venroe Chappell Jr. (February 3, 1922 – March 30, 1989) was an American Democratic politician from Florida who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1989. 2Early life, education and military service Born in Kendrick, Florida, Chappell graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in 1947 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1949. The Bachelor of Laws was exchanged for a Juris Doctor in 1967. He served in the United States Navy, aviator from 1942 to 1946. He retired as a captain from United States Navy Reserve in 1983. 2Legal career and government service Chappell began his legal career as a prosecuting attorney in Marion County from 1950 to 1954. He later was a member of the law firm of Chappell and Rowland in Ocala. Chappell represented Marion County in the Florida House of Representatives from 1954 to 1964, and served as Speaker of the House from 1961 to 1963. He did not seek reelection in 1964 but was elected again in 1966 from a district encompassing Marion, Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Countie