William J. Cason served the people of the 31st District, which at the time included Bates, Cass, Henry, Johnson, St. Clair and Vernon counties. Born in Higginsville, he attended Clinton High School and went on to graduate with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an LL.B. degree. He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Missouri and the federal courts and was the prosecuting attorney of Henry County for six years. He was a veteran of World War II, during which time he served as a bomber pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was first elected to the Senate in 1960 and re-elected in 1964, 1968 and 1972. He received the Harry S. Truman award for outstanding leadership and public service. Senator Cason served as majority floor leader and was twice unanimously elected by his fellow senators to the office of president pro tem of the Senate. He practiced law for a total of 61 years before retiring in 2012. (Democrat)