Dwight W. Burney

Dwight Willard Burney (January 7, 1892 – March 10, 1987) was an American politician from the state of Nebraska. A Republican, he served as the 30th Governor of Nebraska from 1960 to 1961.

Dwight Willard Burney
30th Governor of Nebraska
In office September 9, 1960 – January 5, 1961
Preceded by	Ralph G. Brooks
Succeeded by	Frank B. Morrison
26th Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
In office January 10, 1957 – January 7, 1965
Governor	Victor E. Anderson (1957-1959) Ralph G. Brooks (1959-1960) Frank B. Morrison (1961-1965)
Preceded by	Charles J. Warner
Succeeded by	Philip C. Sorensen
Member of the Nebraska Senate
In office 1945–1957
Personal details
Born	January 7, 1892 Hartington, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	March 10, 1987 (aged 95) Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of South Dakota

Early life and career

Burney was born in Hartington, Nebraska, the son of Willard H. Burney, a Representative in the Nebraska legislature in 1919. He attended rural schools and graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1912.[1] After graduation, he taught in high schools, farmed and ranched. For 25 years, he was director of the Hartington rural schools.

Political career

Burney was elected a member of the Nebraska Unicameral in 1945 and won re-election until 1957.[2] He served as Speaker during that time.

In 1957, Burney became the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska. Re-elected, he served in that office until he became governor of Nebraska after Gov. Ralph G. Brooks died in office on September 9, 1960. During his tenure, a state sales tax was promoted, and controversy over the firing of Jack Obblick, the Director of State Aeronautics, was handled.[3] He was governor of Nebraska until the inauguration of Gov. Frank B. Morrison in 1961, and served again as Lieutenant Governor until 1965.

Later life

Burney's wife Edna died in 1962, and he married Grayce Hahn (1907-1994) of Polk, Nebraska on January 1, 1965. Burney and Grayce made their home in Polk.[4] Burney died in his winter home in Mesa, Arizona, on March 10, 1987.[5] He is interred at Hartington, Nebraska. He was a Freemason.

References

1. "Nebraska Governor Dwight Willard Burney". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
2. "Dwight W. Burney". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
3. "Dwight W. Burney". National Governors Association. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
4. "Dwight W. Burney" (PDF). Nebraska History.org. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
5. "Dwight W. Burney" (PDF). Nebraska History. org. Retrieved 5 October 2012.

External links

• "Burney, Dwight Willard". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved January 8, 2006.
• National Governors Association
• Nebraska History.org