Bill Workman
William Douglas Workman III (July 3, 1940 – May 12, 2019) was an American businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Greenville, South Carolina from 1983 to 1995. Greenville is the seat of Greenville County, the state's most populous county, at the center of the Upstate South Carolina region.
Bill Workman | |
|---|---|
| 33rd Mayor of Greenville, South Carolina | |
| In office June 13, 1983 – December 11, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Harry B. Luthi |
| Succeeded by | Knox H. White |
| President of the Municipal Association of South Carolina | |
| In office 1994–1995 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen M. Creech |
| Succeeded by | Lessie B. Price |
| At-large member of the Greenville City Council | |
| In office 1981 – June 13, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Clifford Gaddy Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Knox H. White |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Douglas Workman III July 3, 1940 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | May 12, 2019 (aged 78) Walterboro, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Resting place | Live Oak Cemetery, Walterboro |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Marcia Mae Moorhead
(m. 1966; div. 1996)Patti Gage Fishburne
(m. 1996) |
| Children | 2 (3 stepchildren) |
| Parent |
|
| Education | The Citadel |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Originally from the southern part of the state, Workman began work in journalism before entering politics. He worked in Governor James B. Edwards' administration in the latter 1970s, after which he was honored with the Order of the Palmetto. Workman was a member of the Greenville city council for two years before his election as mayor.
During his three terms as mayor, Workman coordinated redevelopment of the city's Main Street, helped build international cultural ties, oversaw construction of a baseball stadium, helped bring multiple corporate headquarters to the region, and negotiated funding partnerships for a performing arts center and a multi-purpose arena.
After elected service, he continued work as vice president for a major regional gas utility company, and advised community leadership gatherings in South Carolina and beyond. Workman returned to the state's Lowcountry in 2006 and held leadership roles in various economic development organizations. He was honored as a South Carolina Economic Ambassador in 2014.