William Thaddeus Coleman Jr.

Bill Coleman
Judge of the United States Court of Military Commission Review
In office
September 21, 2004 – December 17, 2009
Appointed byGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byScott Silliman
4th United States Secretary of Transportation
In office
March 7, 1975 – January 20, 1977
PresidentGerald Ford
Preceded byClaude Brinegar
Succeeded byBrock Adams
Personal details
Born(1920-07-07)July 7, 1920
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 31, 2017(2017-03-31) (aged 96)
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLovida Hardin
Children3, including William and Hardin
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (BA)
Harvard University (LLB)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
RankSecond lieutenant
UnitUnited States Army Air Corps
Battles/warsWorld War II

William Thaddeus Coleman Jr. (July 7, 1920 – March 31, 2017) was an American attorney and judge.[1][2] Coleman was the fourth United States Secretary of Transportation, from March 7, 1975, to January 20, 1977, and the second African American to serve in the United States Cabinet. As an attorney, Coleman played a major role in significant civil rights cases. At the time of his death, Coleman was the oldest living former Cabinet member.[a]

  1. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (1 April 2017). "William T. Coleman Jr., Who Broke Racial Barriers in Court and Cabinet, Dies at 96". The New York Times. p. A24. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  2. ^ Schudel, Matt (March 31, 2017). "William T. Coleman Jr., transportation secretary and civil rights lawyer, dies at 96". Washington Post. Retrieved March 31, 2017.


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