Class of 1940

William S. Broomfield, M.C.

Member of the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate

Member of the United States Congress

U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations

William S. Broomfield graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1940. He attended what is now Michigan State University and served in the United States Army Air Corps during the Second World War. After the war he engaged in the sale of real-estate and property management.

Mr. Broomfield was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives in 1948 and served in that position until 1954. In 1953 he held the position of Speaker Pro Tempore. He served in the State Senate in 1955 and 1956.

In 1956, Mr. Broomfield was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives. He served in that capacity until 1992. During his tenure he served on the U. S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and was the ranking member on the committee from 1975 until his retirement in 1992. By the end of his final term he was the ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. In 1967 he served as U. S. Ambassador to the 22nd United Nations General Assembly.

William Broomfield has been actively involved in many community and charitable organizations. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Royal Oak and has participated in the American Legion, the Elks, the Freemasons, the Lions Club, the Odd fellows, the Optimists Club and the Shriners.

After his retirement he started a foundation in Michigan that supports charities including the Salvation Army and efforts to cure cancer, Spina Bifida, and Alzheimer's. In 1996, William S. Broomfield was inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame.