Bill Sullivan

Sir William Sullivan (8 December 1891 – 17 March 1967), was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. A man of large stature, he was affectionately known as "Big Bill". Biography He was born in Inglewood in 1891 to Irish parents Samuel John Sullivan and Sarah Maria (née Acton). Sullivan received his education in Inglewood and Stratford. He was a Taranaki rugby representative and maintained an interest in the sport all his life. He served in World War I in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) and in World War II at Trentham Military Camp in New Zealand. In 1917 he set up a construction company in the Bay of Plenty, and in Whakatane he was Mayor 1925–1938, the Harbour Board Chairman 1923–1926 and on the Council for almost 26 years. He was also the president of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce. In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal. Member of Parliament