William Everett Potter
William Everett Potter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 12th Governor of the Panama Canal Zone | |
| In office 1956–1960 | |
| Preceded by | John States Seybold |
| Succeeded by | William Arnold Carter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 17, 1905 Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
| Died | December 5, 1988 (aged 83) Orlando, Florida |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1928–1960 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Battles/wars | World War 2 |
William Everett Potter (July 17, 1905 – December 5, 1988) was an American engineer and military officer who served as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone from 1956 to 1960.[1] He was also involved in the logistics of the 1964 New York World's Fair and of Walt Disney World.
Biography[]
He was born on July 17, 1905 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.[1]
He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1928. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1933 with a degree in civil engineering. He served as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone from 1956 to 1960.[1]
In World War II, he helped in planning the American invasion of Normandy in 1944 as an engineering officer at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe. He was then involved with moving men and supplies in Western Europe, an operation that was nicknamed the Red Ball Express.
After the war, Mr. Potter supervised for the Corps of Engineers a $100 million project to control the Missouri River, and the construction of military installations in Alaska. He then was assistant chief of engineers for civil works for the Army in Washington. Official of World's Fair
He retired from the Army with the rank of major general shortly after ending his tenure as the Canal Zone's Governor in 1960.[2]
On July 7, 1959, Mr. Potter appeared as a guest challenger on the TV panel show To Tell The Truth.
He died of heart failure on December 5, 1988 at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Florida.[1][2]
The Walt Disney Company[]
Potter played a key role in the construction of Walt Disney World. He is credited with helping to build much of the underground utilities (such as power and water treatment) and other infrastructure. Potter met Walt Disney at the New York World's Fair.[3] He became a Disney Legend in 1997. One of the three ferries that transports guests across the Seven Seas Lagoon was re-christened in his honor.[4]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "William Everett Potter". Panama Canal Authority.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Heller Anderson, Susan (December 7, 1988). "W. E. Potter, 83, Army Engineer". New York Times.
- ^ Gallagher, Kirsten (December 6, 1988). "Joe Potter, Disney's Behind-the-scenes Man, Dies At 83". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando.
- ^ {{cite web|url=https://d23.com/joe-potter/%7Ctitle=Joe Potter- D23|work=D23}|url-access=subscription}
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- United States Military Academy alumni
- Governors of the Panama Canal Zone
- Disney people
- 1905 births
- 1988 deaths
- People from Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Military personnel from Wisconsin