20 Facts About Bill Workman

William Douglas Workman III was an American businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Greenville, South Carolina from 1983 to 1995.

Originally from the southern part of the state, Bill Workman began work in journalism before entering politics.

Bill Workman worked in Governor James B Edwards' administration in the latter 1970s, after which he was honored with the Order of the Palmetto.

Bill Workman returned to the state's Lowcountry in 2006 and held leadership roles in various economic development organizations.

Bill Workman was honored as a South Carolina Economic Ambassador in 2014.

Bill Workman served two years with the US Army before continuing in the Army Reserve, later retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Bill Workman was a news reporter in Charleston and then Greenville in the late 1960s.

From 1978 to 1994, Bill Workman was employed by Fluor Daniel in industrial relations and project development.

Bill Workman served for two years on the Greenville City Council before being elected as the city's mayor in 1983.

Bill Workman ran unsuccessfully to represent South Carolina's 4th congressional district in 1986.

Bill Workman oversaw construction of the $2.7 million Greenville Municipal Stadium after getting local banks to buy city revenue bonds, continued Main Street redevelopment, and was involved with partnership negotiations for development of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

In 1989, Bill Workman urged a group of the state's city and county leaders to look beyond their annual budgets, in anticipation of eventual economic downturns and to control the gap between upper and lower class.

In 1997, Bill Workman offered advice in a round table discussion about industrial recruitment in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Bill Workman warned against repeating Greenville's mistakes during growth, and emphasized the need for a strategic plan rather than a tactical one to attract businesses.

Bill Workman played a leading role in this evolution and has made many noteworthy contributions to Greenville and upstate South Carolina.

In March 2004, Bill Workman received a "Vision Award" from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Bill Workman held top leadership positions in the state's Appalachian Health Council from 1972 to 1975.

Bill Workman moved to South Carolina's Lowcountry region in 2006, where he was Bluffton's town manager for three years.

Bill Workman had a part in laying off a Bluffton police officer in 2009 and was named in a subsequent age discrimination lawsuit.

Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks cited statements made by Bill Workman in recommending non-dismissal of the federal suit, which ended with a cash settlement from the town in 2012 without admission of liability.