William Faust

William Faust was a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate from 1967 through 1994, and was majority leader from 1976 to 1984.^[1]

Early life

A native of Ohio, Faust attended Indiana University and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1952. He undertook graduate work at Eastern Michigan University. Faust was a publisher and managing editor of several news publications before being elected a township trustee in 1960 and later supervisor in 1963 of Nankin Township.^[2]

Senate career

In 1966, Faust won his first election to the Senate from a hospital bed as he was recovering from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident which eventually left him in a wheelchair. Ten years later, he was elected majority leader. In 1984, a series of by-elections cost the Democrats their majority in the Senate, and Faust continued as Democratic minority leader until he resigned his leadership position in April 1985. To date, Faust is the last person to have been a Democratic majority leader in the Michigan Senate. While in the Senate, Faust was known for his efforts to build up state libraries and played a key role in the restoration of the Michigan State Capitol, including saving some glass panes from the ceiling of the Senate chamber. In total, Faust served seven terms in the Senate, retiring in 1994.^[3]

Later life

Less than a month after leaving the Senate, and after coronary bypass surgery and having his gall bladder removed, Faust died on January 21, 1995, aged 65.^[4]

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