Joseph Putnam Willson

Joseph Putnam Willson (January 7, 1902 – August 3, 1998) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Joseph Putnam Willson
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
In office October 18, 1968 – August 3, 1998
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
In office July 14, 1953 – October 18, 1968
Appointed by	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Owen McIntosh Burns
Succeeded by	Joseph F. Weis Jr.
Personal details
Born	Joseph Putnam Willson January 7, 1902 Bath, New York
Died	August 3, 1998 (aged 96) Smethport, Pennsylvania
Education	University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) Temple University Beasley School of Law (LL.B.)

Education and career

Born in Bath, New York, Willson received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1926 and a Bachelor of Laws from the Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1931. He was in private practice in Smethport, Pennsylvania from 1931 to 1953. He served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II, from 1942 to 1945. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1948 to 1953, and was a Special Master for the Supreme Court of the United States from 1964 to 1972.[1]

Federal judicial service

On June 8, 1953, Willson was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Owen McIntosh Burns. Willson was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 14, 1953, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on October 18, 1968, serving in that capacity until his death on August 3, 1998, in Smethport.[1]

References

1. Joseph Putnam Willson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Sources

• Joseph Putnam Willson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.