Background

Gossett, William Thomas was born on September 9, 1904 in Gainesville, Texas, United States. Son of James Tillman and Orrie B. (Laverty) Gossett.

Education

Bachelor of Arts Utah, 1925. Doctor of Laws, University Utah, 1961. Bachelor of Laws, Columbia, 1928.

Doctor of Laws, Columbia, 1978. Doctor of Laws, Coe College, 1947. Doctor of Laws, Bethany College, 1962.

Doctor of Laws, Kalamazoo College, 1965. Doctor of Laws, Tuskegee Institute, 1966. Doctor of Laws, Detroit College Law, 1967.

Doctor of Laws, Oakland University, 1967. Doctor of Laws, Duke, 1968. Doctor of Laws, University Michigan, 1968.

Doctor of Laws, Drury College, 1969. Doctor of Laws, Brown University, 1969. Doctor of Laws, University Dallas, 1969.

Doctor of Laws, Atlanta University, 1978. Doctor of Laws, Morehouse College, 1978. Doctor of Humanities, Wayne University, 1957.

Doctor of Humanities, University Detroit, 1980.

Career

Practiced in, New York, 1929-1947. General counsel Bendix Aviation Corporation, 1943-1947, director, 1946-1947. Member firm Hughes, Schurman & Dwight, 1935-1937, Hughes, Hubbard & Ewing (and predecessor firm), 1937-1947.

Vice president, general counsel, director, member executive and administration committees Ford Motor Company, 1947-1962. Served as deputy special representative for trade negotiations Washington, 1962-1963. Counsel Dykema, Wheat, Spencer, Goodnow & Trigg, Detroit, 1964-1970.

Partner Dykema, Gossett, Spencer, Goodnow & Trigg, 1970-1977, counsel, 1977-1998. Director emeritus One William St. Fund, Inc. Director Dart & Kraft Inc.

Chairman emeritus executive committee Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Achievements

• Bar: New York bar 1929.

Religion

The Bible is the only authoritative source of God's truth and any view that cannot be directly tied to a scriptural reference is generally considered to be based on human traditions rather than God's leading.

Politics

Manifestations religious freedom include supporting separation of church and state, advocating for people everywhere to be guaranteed the right to worship free from discrimination, and lifting up respectful dialog as a healthy means to understanding.

Views

Different kinds of small groups inside the overall Baptist movement should be encouraged to developed, so that both leaders and members of the societies could receive support and challenge in their faith.

Membership

Chairman board United Negro College Fund., 1961-1967. Trustee emeritus Columbia University. Trustee Riverside Church, New York City, 1935-1947, president, 1947.

Trustee Cranbrook Foundation, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, 1954-1973, Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit. Board directors Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Fellow American Bar Foundation (chairman fellows 1960-1962, president 1964-1966, director).

Member American Bar Association (president 1968-1969), New York Bar Association, Detroit Bar Association, National Legal Aid and Defender Association (president 1961-1964, director), Association Bar City of New York, State Bar Michigan, Order of Coif, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Theta Phi. Clubs: Detroit (Detroit), Bloomfield Hills Country (Detroit). Ocean of Florida (Ocean Ridge).

Little (Delray Beach, Florida).

Connections

Married Elizabeth Evans Hughes, December 19, 1930. Children: Antoinette Gossett Denning, William T., Elizabeth Evans Karaman.

father:

James Tillman Gossett

mother:

Orrie B. (Laverty) Gossett

spouse:

Elizabeth Evans Hughes

child:

Antoinette Gossett Denning Gossett

child:

William T. Gossett

child:

Elizabeth Evans Karaman Gossett