Society of Senates Past
Roster

WILLIAM MASON SHEHAN
Democrat, Talbot County.

Born in Easton, June 1, 1914.  Attended Talbot County public schools; Mercersburg Academy; Duke University, B.A., 1937.  Duke University Law School, 1938.  Married; six children.

General Assembly:
Member of Senate, 1950-54.  Chair, Tidewater Fisheries Committee.  Member, Advisory Committee on Tidewater Fisheries.

Private Career and Other Public Service:
Navy Aviation Cadet Program, U.S. Navy, 1939; Commissioned as ensign, 1940; Honorable discharge as Commander, 1947; Served as naval aviator in Hawaii and South Pacific during World War II; Received the Air Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.  Assistant Editor, Sports Editor, and Advertising Manager, Eastern Star Democrat, 1947.  Employed by Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Group, 1948; Head of DNR Enforcement Group, 1949.  Assistant Manager, Manager, Beech Aircraft, Washington, D.C., 1954-64.  Representative to U.S. Navy, Ventura Division, Northrop Corporation, 1964-74.  Director of Shore Erosion Program, Head of Fisheries Division and Assistant to Chairman, Department of Natural Resources, 1974-79.  Amateur sailor, fisherman, wild game hunter.

Personal Comments and Observations:
    Senator Shehan believes that his most significant contribution while in the Senate was that he helped pass the first zoning bill for Talbot County.  The most controversial issue of his term was the Veteran's Bonus bill, which he opposed.
    A humorous moment worth noting took place at Senator Shehan's retirement party.  It was stated that he had been working for 40 years and he was asked how long it would take to learn to be retired.  Senator Shehan replied, "About 15 minutes."  Nancy Colder, wife of the head of the Department of Natural Resources, replied that it shouldn't take him longer than that "since he has been practicing for 40 years."

Compiled March 16, 2000 from the biographical files of the Maryland Manual, ©Maryland State Archives and from a  telephone interview with Senator Shehan on September 8, 1999.