Training room named for Bill Bullard Jr.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners have introduced a bipartisan resolution seeking to rename the county’s elections training room in honor of a late public servant.
Bill Bullard Jr., a longtime Oakland County politician who served as a state legislator, county clerk and county commissioner, died of cancer and COVID-19 complications on Dec. 18. He was 77.
At the time of his passing, Bullard was set to become the deputy clerk of White Lake Township under incoming clerk Anthony Noble.
He was also serving as vice president of Strategic Communication Solutions, a Lansing lobbying group.
The resolution read in part, “Bill Bullard’s tireless commitment to public service have transformed Oakland County and the State of Michigan, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals.
His extraordinary career in public service and community leadership came to a close with Bill Bullard’s passing on Dec. 18, 2020. The many contributions of Bill Bullard to improving the lives of the people of Oakland County and promoting excellence in government service are appropriately honored with the designation and naming of the Board of Canvassers/ Elections Training Room in his honor.”
The room will be renamed the “Willis C. “Bill” Bullard Conference Room,” according to the board resolution, which will need full board approval as it allocates up to $15,000 for the renaming.
Bullard, a Republican, served in the State Legislature, both the House and Senate, from 1982 to 2002. He then was elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners where he served four terms, including six years as chairman.
In 2010, Bullard succeeded Ruth Johnson as Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds when she was elected Secretary of State. He was defeated for re-election
to a full term as county clerk in 2012 by Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, who also defeated Bullard in the 2016 general election.
Bullard started his political career in 1978 when he was elected Highland Township Trustee and served in that position for two years before being elected Highland Township Supervisor.
After serving as supervisor, in 1982 Bullard successfully ran for his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives. He served as the Assistant House Republican Caucus Chairman, and then as the Assistant House Republican Floor Leader.