William G. Batchelder

William G. Batchelder III (December 19, 1942 – February 12, 2022) was an American politician who was the 101st Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 2011 to 2014. He also represented the 69th District of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2007 to 2014, and served in the House from 1969 to 1998 previously. He was a Republican. Early life and legal career Batchelder was born in Medina, Ohio, and grew up in the town, graduating from Medina High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in history at Ohio Wesleyan University and his J.D. from the Ohio State University College of Law. In law school he was a member of the moot court team. He began his public service career as an aide to and protege of the late Ohio Lt. Governor John W. Brown, who was from his home town of Medina. Batchelder was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives while on active duty with the United States Army. He served in the office of the Judge Advocate General at the headquarters of the Third Army in Fort McPherson, Georgia; he was honorably discharged in 1974. Batchelder practiced law in Medina, Ohio for 31 years with the law firm of Williams & Batchelder. His practice focused on personal injury defense litigation, corporate law, probate, and estate planning. Batchelder was elected to the Medina County Court of Common Pleas and served briefly on that court before Governor Bob Taft appointed him to the Ninth District Ohio Court of Appeals. Batchelder was elected to the appellate bench in November 2000. He served as presiding judge from January 2000 to December 2001.