William Allen “Bill” Egan (8 October 1914 – 6 May 1984) was the first governor of the State of Alaska. Born in Valdez, he served from 3 January 1959 to 5 December 1966 and again from 7 December 1970 to 2 December 1974.[1]
| Born | 8 Oct 1914, Valdez |
|---|---|
| Died | 6 May 1984, Anchorage |
| Governor | 1959–1966; 1970–1974 |
| Party | Democratic |
Early career
Egan served in the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives in 1940–1945 and 1947–1953, including as Speaker from 1951 to 1953. He was elected mayor of Valdez in 1946 and to the Territorial Senate in 1953.[1]
Statehood
He served as a U.S. shadow senator from the Alaska Territory from 6 October 1956 to 3 January 1959, and became the first state governor when Alaska joined the Union in January 1959.[1]
FAQs
Who was Alaska’s first governor? Bill Egan.
Where was he born? Valdez.
How many terms? Two stints, 1959–1966 and 1970–1974.
Sources
Key facts
- Born Valdez 1914
- Governor 1959
- Second stint 1970
Quick checkFirst governor?Show answer
Bill Egan.
Sources
- Wikipedia. William A. Egan. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue