Billy O'Brien (politician)

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Billy O'Brien
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 83rd district
In office
January 12, 1983 – January 8, 1992
Preceded byNone (district created)
Succeeded byLeo Wardrup
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 38th district
In office
January 13, 1982 – January 12, 1983
Preceded byFred Creekmore
Tom Forehand
Succeeded byNora Anderson Squyres
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 42nd district
In office
January 9, 1974 – January 13, 1982
Succeeded byRobert Bloxom
Personal details
Born
Joseph William O'Brien, Jr.

(1929-04-20)April 20, 1929
educator, businessperson
CommitteesEducation
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
RankCaptain

Joseph William O'Brien, Jr. (April 20, 1929 – November 9, 2012) was an

American politician. A Democrat, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1974–1992.[1][2]

Early life, education, career

O'Brien was born in

Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, and received a football scholarship to the University of North Carolina. He received a B.A. degree from that school and a master's degree from the University of Virginia.[1][2]

He served in the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of captain. He then became a teacher in the Norfolk County (later the city of Chesapeake) public schools, serving as football coach at Great Bridge High School 1955–1974.[1][2]

O'Brien and his wife, were married from c.1954 until his death. They had two children, Marlene Castellow and Joseph Willian O'Brien, III.[1][2]

Political career

O'Brien was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1973 from the 42nd district, a single-member district that covered Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.[3] In 1981, after redistricting, he was elected from the 38th district, a multimember district for Virginia Beach only.[4] From 1983 on, after a court decision mandating single-member districts, he represented the 83rd district in the northern part of Virginia Beach.

In 1976, O'Brien was the Democratic nominee for the

Robert W. Daniel, Jr., 53.03%-46.97%.[5]

O'Brien was an early proponent of the

Virginia State Lottery, which was created in 1987.[6]

O'Brien decided not to run for reelection in 1991. His seat was taken by Republican Leo Wardrup.

Death

O'Brien died in Virginia Beach on November 9, 2012.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "Virginia House of Delegates, Session 1991; O'Brien, Joseph W. (Billy), Jr.;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Joseph W. O'Brien, Jr. Obituary". The Virginian-Pilot. 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  3. ^ "Virginia House of Delegates, Session 1974; O'Brien, Joseph W. (Billy), Jr.;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  4. ^ "Virginia House of Delegates, Session 1982; O'Brien, Joseph W. (Billy), Jr.;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  5. ^ "The Virginia Elections and State Elected Officials Database; Candidate Data for 1976RUHR4". University of Virginia. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  6. ^ Frankenberry, Jami (2012-11-13). "Ex-football coach, state delegate Billy O'Brien dies". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2012-11-13.