Bill Clements Dead: Former Texas Gov. Dies Aged 94

AUSTIN, Texas — Former Texas Gov. Bill Clements, who in 1979 became the state's first Republican elected governor since Reconstruction, has died at 94, his family said.

Clements, whose belief that state government should operate like a big business helped change the face of Texas politics, died Sunday after what his family said was a brief stay at a Dallas-area hospital. Family members said Clements had been ill for several months and grieving the death of his son, who was shot and killed by a neighbor last year.

"It is somewhat fitting that he died Memorial Day weekend since he so appreciated the opportunities he had to serve his state and country," Clements' family said in a statement.

Clements served two terms as governor despite losing his first re-election bid. The Texas House honored him with a moment of silence Sunday on the chamber floor.

"As the father of the modern Texas Republican Party, Gov. Clements is responsible for the growth, success and election of Texas Republicans in every corner of our state," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said. "Today, Texans and Americans have lost a leader whose leadership, service and patriotism were unparalleled."

Clements, a Texas oilman, saw his first term in office as a major change in the way the state operated.

"It is the largest business in Texas and yet we run it like it was a soda water shed – or a barbecue stand," Clements said shortly before turning over the chief executive's job to Democrat Mark White, a lawyer and part-owner of a barbecue firm who upset Clements' re-election bid in 1982.

Clements came back four years later to defeat White as governor and served until 1991.

The politic beginnings for Clements include his heading of Richard Nixon's 1972 presidential campaign in Texas. He served as deputy secretary of defense for the U.S. Department of Defense from 1973 to 1977.

At the urging of his wife, Rita, a former national GOP committeewoman he called his "secret weapon," Clements decided to campaign for governor in 1978.

Comments

[General Public]

04:17 AM on 05/31/2011

Texas oilman, father of the modern Texas Republican Party, tried to run government like a big business, paved the way for future Texas Republicans like George W. Bush and Tom DeLay, what more is there to say? That pretty much sums things up about Bill Clements and his legacy.

[herrahsdad]

04:19 PM on 05/30/2011

I as a Texan who did not vote for Bill Clememts and had sharp political differences with him, wish him Gods Speed. May he rest in peace and may God bless and comfort his family.

[herrahsdad]

12:26 AM on 05/31/2011

LMAO....I Knew this man quite well. I was heavily involved in Texas politics in Austin during his governorship. I promise you I knew his politics backwards and forwords and did everything within my power to help defeat him....But like all who are a child of God I wish him peace and I truly hope he is in the companuy of God, the here and now is a time to comfort his family and fiends. God bless and keep them all.

[manntxs]

06:24 AM on 05/31/2011

You knew him personally? You lived in Texas while he was governor? You are fully informed of his daily life, his relationship with his family and with God?

I have read the bible and while I do not hold myself as an expert I am absolutely certain that you will NOT be there at judgement as judge or jury so your opinion matters as to where Mr. Clements will wind up matters not.

The other night a lot of nasty posts here were rightfully wiped off. When someone dies and people write hateful, even to the point of being vile, things about someone is it any different than protestors showing up at a funeral? Hey, at least they show their face.

[bkisses]

10:41 AM on 05/30/2011

yes i wish the best for his family not only do they grieve for Former Texas Gov. Bill Clements, they also are trying to get over the death of clements son who was shot and killed.. so sad.. im not a republican but i dont wish this to happen to anyone. Hes finally at peace.

[frank day]

10:27 AM on 05/30/2011

Rest in Peace.

He helped elect Nixon and Bush. He helped make many people wealthy.

Without him, Texas would be a different place.

[hasbin2hib4]

10:00 AM on 05/30/2011

Never cared for Clements as gov. and didn't care for his politics or views. My condolences to his family for their loss. He's a better governor than the current one.

[Texasrepublic]

09:52 AM on 05/30/2011

To a great Texan, you had a great life, may you rest in peace.

[Gaspar Ramsey]

10:43 PM on 05/30/2011

You've got to be kidding.

[SPQR1052]

09:41 AM on 05/30/2011

Perry don't even compare yourself to this guy.. Just don't.

[Roy E Pearson]

09:35 AM on 05/30/2011

I campaigned for Bill Clements in 1978. even though I was a bleeding heart Liberal (still am). I was tired of The Democratic Party in Texas being full of Republicans that ran as Democrats to get elected. What Ronald Reagan and Bill Clements did was make it safe for Republicans to come out of the Closet and say they were really Republicans.

It was easier of me to alienate all my friends, who were Liberals as well, because Clements was relatively rational for a Republican. Like Reagan he had a set of beliefs that he stood by and was not like our current Governor who runs on what ever will get him elected.

I am sure his family knows the stature of the man and do ot require my condolences. Clements was a thowback to the age when men could disagree and still be friends, privately and publicly.

[Vieux Charles]

01:18 AM on 05/30/2011

A simple "I didn't agree with his politics but I wish the best for his family" would do.

[The Smartest Monkees]

08:53 AM on 05/30/2011

Apparently, that is ALL that will do, as over 200 posts have been deleted.

[ardethbay]

10:40 PM on 05/29/2011

Rest in peace and condolences to his family.

[unknownsoldier53]

10:27 PM on 05/29/2011

I would not likely agree with much of Mr. Clements politics, but that said, I express my condolences and sympathies to a man (and family) who served his State with what I have no doubt were his best of intentions. RIP.

[randyjet]

10:43 AM on 05/30/2011

THAT is a gross mistatement of who and what Clements was. He did NOT serve Texas with the best of intentions, he served it with HIS needs and wants first and foremost. He had Texas pick up the tab for the oil spill HIS company caused and the oil is STILL there. Go to Corpus and dig a few inches below and you will run into SEDCOs oil. He thought rules were for others and had the SMU board violate the NCAA ruling that SMU had to stop paying their football players. They got the DEATH penalty for that one. He screwed around in the DoD and had to leave under a cloud. He refused to shake the hand of his predecesor in the Governors office, Mark White, at Clements inaguration. He had NO class or decency OR concern for the people of Texas. He was quoted as saying his best act was to renovate the state Capitol. Most other decent people would be more concerned about the PEOPLE of Texas, NOT monuments or buildings to oneself.

[unknownsoldier53]

11:46 PM on 06/01/2011

U may well be right in all you say. I was trying to be respectful, even if undeserved.

[Don Stalvino]

09:41 PM on 05/29/2011

RIP, Bill Clements, the first Republican governor in Texas since Reconstruction, has died at 94. 1925-2011. At least he died doing what he loved.

[garylinn]

09:04 PM on 05/29/2011

RIP: May his family find peace during this difficult time.

[gnhowardusa]

09:03 PM on 05/29/2011

I never much liked his policies or politics, but I believe he felt he was doing what was right. RIP and condolences to his family.

[Mondayboy]

09:01 PM on 05/29/2011

At least he lived a very long life.