Judy O'Bannon

Judy O'Bannon Willsey
First Lady of Indiana
In role
January 13, 1997 – September 13, 2003
GovernorFrank O'Bannon
Preceded bySusan Bayh
Succeeded byMaggie Kernan
Second Lady of Indiana
In role
January 9, 1989 – January 13, 1997
GovernorEvan Bayh
Preceded byCarolyn Mutz
Succeeded byMaggie Kernan
Personal details
Born
Judith Mae Asmus

(1935-04-30) April 30, 1935 (age 89)
Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1957; died 2003)​
Donald Willsey
​
​
(m. 2013; died 2024)​
EducationIndiana University Bloomington
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (attended)
ProfessionChairman, The O'Bannon Publishing Company Host & Producer, Public Television

Judith "Judy" O'Bannon Willsey (born April 30, 1935) is the former First Lady of the State of Indiana, serving in that role from January 13, 1997, to September 13, 2003, during the administration of her husband Governor Frank O'Bannon. She has been a leader in community development and historic preservation throughout much of her life, including having helped launch and then serving as chair of the Indiana Main Street program, and serving on the boards of the Indiana Landmarks foundation, the Indiana State Museum and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She is also an Emmy-winning[1][2] host and producer of the WFYI-TV public television series Communities Building Community[3] and Judy O'Bannon's Foreign Exchange[4] as well as several one-time specials,[5][6] and as the chair of O'Bannon Publishing Company,[7] published two weekly newspapers, including the award-winning The Corydon Democrat.

  1. ^ "2012 Emmy Winners » NATAS Lower Great Lakes Chapter". NATAS Lower Great Lakes Chapter. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  2. ^ Allan, Marc D. (24 November 2008). "Web exclusive: Regional Emmys announced". NUVO. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  3. ^ "Communities Building Community". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  4. ^ "Judy O'Bannon's Foreign Exchange". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  5. ^ "Lee and Richard Hamilton". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  6. ^ "Five Voices". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  7. ^ "Governor's widow stays busy with projects". The Herald Times. September 4, 2004.