William Decker

1926 (age 74)

Richmond, Virginia, United States

In his early years, Decker worked as a cowboy on an Arizona ranch, owned by the family of Bruce Babbitt, United States secretary of the interior. Later, he trained to be a fighter pilot for the Army Air Corps in 1944-1945, but the war ended before his training was completed. Decker ended up buying a ranch in Klamath Falls and began working there as city editor for the Klamath Falls Herald and News in the late 1950's. Then, Decker began his career as an editor with McGraw-Hill Publishing, later becoming an executive editor at Viking Press. In these positions, he edited such works, as "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" by Ernest Gaines and writings by Pulitzer Prize-winner Wallace Stegner. William authored several writings. His 1967's book, "To Be a Man", was named one of the ten best Westerns of that year by The New York Times. Later, in 1979, his "The Holdouts" appeared. In the late 1980's, Decker served as a writing instructor at Southern Oregon University. After William's retirement, he, together with his wife, Anne, moved to Ashland in 1986.

William Decker

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editor novelist teacher

Background

William Decker was born in 1926, in Richmond, Virginia, United States.

Education

In 1950, William graduated from Stanford University, where he studied writing.

Career

In his early years, Decker worked as a cowboy on an Arizona ranch, owned by the family of Bruce Babbitt, United States secretary of the interior. Later, he trained to be a fighter pilot for the Army Air Corps in 1944-1945, but the war ended before his training was completed. Decker ended up buying a ranch in Klamath Falls and began working there as city editor for the Klamath Falls Herald and News in the late 1950's.

Then, Decker began his career as an editor with McGraw-Hill Publishing, later becoming an executive editor at Viking Press. In these positions, he edited such works, as "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" by Ernest Gaines and writings by Pulitzer Prize-winner Wallace Stegner.

William authored several writings. His 1967's book, "To Be a Man", was named one of the ten best Westerns of that year by The New York Times. Later, in 1979, his "The Holdouts" appeared.

In the late 1980's, Decker served as a writing instructor at Southern Oregon University. After William's retirement, he, together with his wife, Anne, moved to Ashland in 1986.

Achievements

William Decker was a well-known novelist and editor, who gained prominence for his works, such as "To Be a Man" (1967), which The New York Times named one of the 10 best novels of the year, and "The Holdouts" (1979). The latter work earned him the Golden Spur Award from the Western Writers Association in 1980.

Works

book
- To Be a Man 1967
- The Holdouts 1979

Connections

William married his wife, Anne, in 1964, in New York.

Wife:: Anne Decker

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Connections

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To Be a Man

The Holdouts

William Decker

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Works

book

Connections

Born

Died

Nationality

Education

1950

Awards

Golden Spur Award, United States