Bill Birchfield

William O. Birchfield Jr. (December 19, 1935 – February 5, 2016) was an American politician, lawyer, and civic leader in Jacksonville, Florida. He referred to himself as the "Duke of Mayo" from the small town (population less than 1,000) where he was born and raised.

Early life and education Birchfield was born in Mayo, Florida, and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1954. He attended the University of Florida, majoring in agriculture, and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, and Florida Blue Key. Birchfield was named to the UF Hall of Fame in 1957, earned his bachelor's degree in 1958, then enlisted in the United States Navy. Birchfield decided to further his education and was accepted by the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi and earned his Juris Doctor in 1963. He was admitted to the Florida Bar on June 12, 1964. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Florida in 1989.

Career Birchfield began his law practice in 1964 with Milam, LeMaistre, Ramsay & Martin in Jacksonville and joined the Jacksonville Bar Association. He maintained membership in Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and served on their board of directors. He also belonged to the American Board of Trial Advocates. In his first year, he helped pass a no-fault insurance bill and was assigned to several committees, including the Insurance Committee chairmanship. He was reelected to a second two-year term and served from 1971 to 1974.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority After leaving politics, Birchfield was appointed to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board of Directors. The position of the new road ran about two miles south of Beach Boulevard, but the route was through mostly undeveloped land. Like the bridge, critics called it "the road to nowhere". Construction began in 1978 from Philips Highway eastward and the first section opened the following year. Development grew as each new interchange opened. The final section, terminating at Florida State Road A1A was not completed until 1997. By then, growth along Butler and at the beach had turned the highway into a major commuter route, requiring a third lane in each direction, plus extended on and off ramps. Birchfield remained on the board for eight years, including time as chairman. After leaving the JTA board, Birchfield represented vendor Westinghouse Electric Corp. during contract negotiations with JTA. Ten months later, Birchfield joined Lewis, Longman & Walker to concentrate on eminent domain and land-use issues. In 2004, he and Bruce Humphrey formed Birchfield & Humphrey, P.A. Both attorneys were identified as among the best lawyers in their specialty by the rating service "Super Lawyers". Birchfield remained active as a lawyer until shortly before his death.

Civic involvement Birchfield shared his time and knowledge with numerous civic groups, including the presidency of the Meninak Club, the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association, the River Club of Jacksonville, Leadership Jacksonville, the Child Guidance Center of Jacksonville, Public television station WJCT, Jacksonville Legal Aid and the Jacksonville Community Council.

Personal life Birchfield married the former Anne Layton in 1960 and the couple had four children: Margaret (Meg), Mary Anne, Frank and William III. They divorced on January 17, 1996. On December 11, 1997 he and Dana Lynn Ferrell were married and remained together until his death in 2016.