William O'Donnell (Wisconsin politician)

[1] O'Donnell attended Lincoln High School but dropped out at age 17 to seek employment, as his family's income was severely affected by the Great Depression.

[2] He served in the United States Army during World War II and was employed as a factory and brewery worker in Milwaukee following his discharge.

He emerged first in the February 1976 primary and defeated Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann in the April general election.

[2] Despite his long tenure as a county supervisor, O'Donnell clashed at times with the board and his successor as chairman, F. Thomas Ament.

[9] In 1987, Schulz violated O'Donnell's prohibition on political endorsements by county administrators, publicly supporting reformist candidate John O. Norquist for Mayor of Milwaukee.