William C. Creel

William Charles Creel (1912 – August 29, 1975) was an American politician and civil servant who served as the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor from 1973 to August 29, 1975.

Early life William Charles Creel was born in 1912 in Wake County, North Carolina, United States to Thomas Braxton Creel and Bessie Puntey Creel. He was educated in Raleigh public schools before attending Cary High School, where he graduated in 1929. In 1936 Creel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social sciences and a high school education certification from North Carolina State College.

Creel married Eleanor King in 1934 and had four children with her. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946, being discharged with the rank of lieutenant.

Career

Creel worked for five years as a teacher and coach at Garner High School. In 1971 Creel became the labor department's safety coordinator.

Politically, Creel identified strongly as a member of the Democratic Party and stated that he would never "apologize for voting for George McGovern." North Carolina Governor James Holshouser appointed Thomas Avery Nye, Jr. to succeed him. In September 1975 his widow and surviving family established the W. C. "Billy" Creel Memorial Scholarship at North Carolina State University.