William S. Beardsley

William Shane Beardsley (May 13, 1901 – November 21, 1954) was an American politician. He served in the Iowa Senate from 1933 to 1941, and was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives between 1947 and 1949. Beardsley was the 31st governor of Iowa from 1949 to 1954.

Early life Beardsley was born in Beacon, Iowa to William Beardsley, a pharmacist and Carrie Shane, and grew up in Birmingham, Iowa. He was returning, with his wife, from a visit to his son, Dan, a student at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

President Eisenhower released a statement the next day saying:

I WAS SHOCKED to hear of the tragic accident which took the life of Governor William S. Beardsley of the State of Iowa. The people of Iowa have lost a devoted public servant whom they elected three times as Chief Executive of their State. Mrs. Eisenhower and I extend to Mrs. Beardsley our deep sympathy in the great personal loss she has sustained.

He was interred at the New Virginia Cemetery in New Virginia, Iowa.