William Grant Stratton (February 26, 1914 – March 2, 2001)[1][2] was an American politician who served as the 32nd governor of Illinois from 1953 to 1961.

Mr. Stratton was educated in the public schools of Lake County, Illinois and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1934 with a degree in Political Science.

In 1944 he volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in World War II.

While in Congress he served on the following committees; Banking and Currency, Flood Control, Civil Service and District of Columbia.

[4] After his military service, Stratton returned to politics, serving as a delegate to the 1952, 1956, 1960 and 1976 Republican National Conventions.

[4][citation needed] Stratton was re-elected governor in 1956. in 1960, he ran for an unprecedented third consecutive term, but was defeated by Democrat Otto Kerner, Jr. [citation needed] Stratton was acquitted on charges of tax evasion in 1965.

[8] Mr. Stratton considered the construction of the first 200 miles of the Illinois tollway system as one of his biggest achievements, his wife, Shirley, said in a telephone interview.

Stratton and his wife spent most of their time apart because of his hectic political schedule, and Marion became dissatisfied with the marriage.

Also, Marion despised the political arena and expressed distaste at her husband's relatively meager salary.

While maintaining the family home in Morris, he operated a livestock farm in Sangamon County.