Billie S. Farnum

Billie S. Farnum
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 19th district
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1967
Preceded by	District established
Succeeded by	Jack H. McDonald
Michigan Auditor General
In office 1961–1964
Preceded by	William A. Burgett
Succeeded by	Allison Green
Personal details
Born	April 11, 1916 Saginaw, Michigan
Died	November 18, 1979 (aged 63) Lansing, Michigan
Resting place	Deepdale Memorial Park, Eaton County, Michigan
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Maxine
Religion	Congregationalist

Billie Sunday Farnum (April 11, 1916 – November 18, 1979) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

Farnum was born in Saginaw, Michigan and raised in a farm community at Watrousville. He graduated from Vassar High School, Vassar, Michigan, in 1933 and continued his education in the Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-1935. He took special educational courses and was employed in the motorcar industry in Pontiac, 1936-1952. He engaged in union activities ranging from shop steward to international representative for United Auto Workers-Congress of Industrial Organizations, 1942-1952. He was administrative aide to U.S. Senator Blair Moody, 1952–1954 and assistant Michigan Secretary of State, 1955–1957; deputy Michigan Secretary of State, 1957–1960; and Michigan Auditor General, 1961-1965. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1956, 1960, and 1964.

Farnum was elected as a Democrat from Michigan's Michigan's 19th congressional district to the 88th United States Congress, serving from January 3, 1965 to January 3, 1967. He was known as one of the Michigan Five Fluke Freshmen and was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1966, losing in the general election to Republican Jack McDonald.

Farnum was deputy chairman, Democratic National Committee, 1967–1968; member, Waterford Board of Education, 1969–1970; owned a financial and management consulting firm; elected secretary of the Michigan Senate in 1975 and served in that capacity until his death in Lansing. He was entombed in mausoleum at Deepdale Memorial Park.

The Michigan Senate's office building in Lansing is named after Farnum.

References

• United States Congress. "Billie S. Farnum (id: F000025)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard