Background
Heath, William Womack was born on December 7, 1903 in Novmangee, Texas, United States. Son of John First Rate (at Lloyd's) and Runie (Hill) Heath.
Heath, William Womack was born on December 7, 1903 in Novmangee, Texas, United States. Son of John First Rate (at Lloyd's) and Runie (Hill) Heath.
As a young man, Heath attended the University of Texas law school.
He was elected county attorney of Grimes County. After admission to the state bar in the fall of 1924, Heath served two terms as county attorney (1925-1929) and then one term as county judge (1931-1932). In 1933 he was appointed secretary of state by Governor Miriam A. Ferguson.
He was assistant attorney general under Governor James Allred from 1935 to 1937.
Heath retired to private practice as insurance lawyer in 1937. Heath reentered public service in 1952, when Governor Price Daniel appointed him chairman of the Texas Board of State Hospitals and Special Schools.
In 1959 he was named to the board of regents of the University of Texas, which he served as chairman from 1962 to 1966. On March 22, 1967, Heath accepted Johnson"s appointment as ambassador to Sweden.
On March 8, 1968, however, he was recalled to the United States in a demonstration of American displeasure with Swedish education minister Olof Palme in an anti-Vietnam War protest that took place on February 21.
The United States. would not appoint a new ambassador to Sweden until 1970 when Jerome H. Holland was appointed.
Member Texas Tax Advisory Commission. Member American Bar Association, State Bar Texas, Texas Bar Foundation, American Judicature Society.
Married Mavis Barnett, July 14, 1927. Children: Cynthia (Mistress Doctorate. G. Ray), and Linda (Mistress Dean Hester).