William R. Ratchford
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William Richard Ratchford (born May 24, 1934) was a U.S. Representative from Connecticut.
Born in Danbury, Connecticut, Ratchford graduated from Danbury High School, Danbury, Connecticut, 1952. He received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, in 1956, where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. J.D., Georgetown Law School, Washington, D.C., 1959. He served in the Connecticut National Guard from 1959 to 1965. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1959 and commenced practice in Danbury, in 1960. He served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1962 to 1974 and was speaker from 1969 to 1973. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Ninety-fourth Congress in 1974. He served as chairman of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Nursing Homes from 1975 to 1976. He served as commissioner on aging from 1977 to 1978. He served as delegate, Connecticut State Democratic conventions from 1960 to 1974. He served as delegate, Democratic National Conventions, 1972 and 1984.
Ratchford was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-sixth and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979-January 3, 1985). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Ninety-ninth Congress. He served as assistant administrator, General Services Administration, congressional affairs from 1993 to 2001. He is a resident of Arlington, Virginia.
