Donald Ray (Billy) MATTHEWS, Congress, FL (1907-1997)

MATTHEWS, Donald Ray (Billy), a Representative from Florida; born in Micanopy, Alachua County, Fla., October 3, 1907; attended the public schools of Hawthorne, Fla.; graduated from the University of Florida at Gainesville in 1929; taught school in Leesburg, Fla., and in Orlando, Fla., 1929-1935; high school principal in Newberry, Fla., in 1935 and 1936; member of the State house of representatives in 1935; member of the administrative staff of the University of Florida, 1936-1952; served in the United States Army 1942-1946 and was discharged as a captain of Infantry; assistant State 4-H agent in the summers of 1928-1938; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-third and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1953-January 3, 1967); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1966 to the Ninetieth Congress; consultant and administrator, Rural Community Development Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1967-1969; instructor of political science, Santa Fe Community College (Fla.), 1969-1977; was a resident of Gainesville, Fla., until his death on October 26, 1997; interment at Hawthorne Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present