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| religion=[[Southern Baptist]]}}
| religion=[[Southern Baptist]]}}
'''Billy Henry Robertson''' (May 5, 1938 – June 27, 2013), known as '''Bill Robertson''', was the longest-serving [[mayor]] of the small city of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]]. With 22.5 years, he was first elected on November 6, 1990, and held the position until his death in office.<ref name=death>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130627/NEWS01/130627012/Minden-mayor-Bill-Robertson-dies|author=Curtis Heyen|title="Minden Mayor Bill Robertson dies"|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=June 27, 2013|accessdate=June 27, 2013}}</ref> With 22.5 years in office, Robertson was the longest-serving Minden mayor; the second longest-serving mayor, [[John T. David]], held the position from 1946 to 1955.<ref>City of Minden, List of Mayors Since 1888.</ref>
'''Billy Henry Robertson''' (May 5, 1938 – June 27, 2013), known as '''Bill Robertson''', was the longest-serving [[mayor]] of the small city of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]]. With 22.5 years, he was first elected on November 6, 1990, and held the position until his death in office.<ref name=death>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130627/NEWS01/130627012/Minden-mayor-Bill-Robertson-dies|author=Curtis Heyen|title="Minden Mayor Bill Robertson dies"|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=June 27, 2013|accessdate=June 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>The second longest-serving mayor was [[John T. David]], who held the office from 1946 to 1955.<ref>City of Minden, List of Mayors Since 1888.</ref>
On August 9, 2008, Robertson was elected president of the Louisiana Municipal Association at the annual convention in [[Lafayette]]. He succeeded outgoing LMA President Clarence R. Fields, the long-term mayor of [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]].
On August 9, 2008, Robertson was elected president of the Louisiana Municipal Association at the annual convention in [[Lafayette]]. He succeeded outgoing LMA President Clarence R. Fields, the long-term mayor of [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]].
Robertson was born to Homer Floyd Robertson (1910-1981) and the late Marie Robertson, a clerk in a shoe store, in Batesville in Independence County in northern [[Arkansas]].<ref>"Robertson New Owner of Talbot's Shoe Center", ''Minden Press-Herald'', September 19, 1966, p. 1.</ref> After a divorce, the senior Robertson married Imogene Kimmer Stanfield (1925–2008), who was formerly wed to Robert Stanfield, Sr. The couple had a son, Eddie Robertson (born 1962) of Minden, the half-brother of Bill Robertson and his brother, Bobby Gerald Robertson (born c. 1945) and wife, Lana, subsequently of Branson, [[Missouri]].
Robertson was born to Homer Floyd Robertson (1910-1981) and the late Marie Robertson, a clerk in a shoe store, in Batesville in Independence County in northern [[Arkansas]].<ref>"Robertson New Owner of Talbot's Shoe Center", ''Minden Press-Herald'', September 19, 1966, p. 1.</ref> After a divorce, the senior Robertson married Imogene Kimmer Stanfield (1925–2008), who was formerly wed to Robert Stanfield, Sr. The couple had a son, Eddie Robertson (born 1962) of Minden, the half-brother of Bill Robertson and his brother, Bobby Gerald Robertson (born c. 1945) and wife, Lana, subsequently of Branson, [[Missouri]].
Robertson's wife, the former Barbara Kimmer, is the daughter of Dale Edgar Kimmer (1920-2006) and Virginia Martin Kimmer (1922-2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Kimmer&GSfn=Virginia&GSiman=1&GScid=67595&GRid=104625112&|title=Virginia Martin Kimmer|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=February 5, 2013}}</ref> also natives of Independence County, Arkansas. Dale Kimmer, a farmer in Batesville, raised cattle and chickens until he and Virginia retired and relocated to Minden in 1995. Robertson's stepmother, Imogene, and his father-in-law, Dale, were siblings.
Robertson's wife, the former Barbara Kimmer, is the daughter of Dale Edgar Kimmer (1920-2006) and Virginia Martin Kimmer (1922-2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Kimmer&GSfn=Virginia&GSiman=1&GScid=67595&GRid=104625112&|title=Virginia Martin Kimmer|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=February 5, 2013}}</ref> also natives of Independence County, Arkansas. Dale Kimmer, a farmer in Batesville, raised cattle and chickens until he and Virginia retired and relocated to Minden in 1995. Robertson's stepmother, Imogene, and his father-in-law, Dale, were siblings.
A former peace officer and a [[Methodist]] pastor, Hortman said that he could work with all aspects of the Minden community. Hortman formerly taught math and coached [[soccer]] at Huntington High School in Shreveport.<ref name=hortman/>
A former peace officer and a [[Methodist]] pastor, Hortman said that he could work with all aspects of the Minden community. Hortman formerly taught math and coached [[soccer]] at Huntington High School in Shreveport.<ref name=hortman/>
==Robertson as mayor==
During Robertson’s tenure, some 85 percent of the city streets were overlaid, and major upgrades were completed on the electrical, wastewater, and water systems. Many of the projects were funded through state and federal grants. Robertson has pledged to keep electrical rates—the city operates its own power plant—among the lowest in the state.
During Robertson’s tenure, some 85 percent of the city streets were overlaid, and major upgrades were completed on the electrical, wastewater, and water systems. Many of the projects were funded through state and federal grants. Robertson has pledged to keep electrical rates—the city operates its own power plant—among the lowest in the state.
The day after Robertson's funeral, a letter written by Robertson earlier in 2013 was released by Wanda Pittman, Robertson's executive assistant. It reveals that Robertson and his wife recommend that the city council choose Marvin Thomas "Tommy" Davis] the District D member, as the next mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130702/NEWS01/307020015/Minden-mayor-picks-successor-before-his-death|title=Minden mayor picks successor before his death: Bill Robertson wants Tommy Davis as interim|publisher=''Shreveport Times'', July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> First elected in 2006, Davis was until his election as mayor the only Republican on the current city council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/09302006/09302006_60.html|title=Webster Parish primary election returns, September 30, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> A businessman, Davis is a native of Stephens, Arkansas.
The day after Robertson's funeral, a letter written by Robertson earlier in 2013 was released by Wanda Pittman, Robertson's executive assistant. It reveals that Robertson and his wife recommend that the city council choose Marvin Thomas "Tommy" Davis] the District D member, as the next mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130702/NEWS01/307020015/Minden-mayor-picks-successor-before-his-death|title=Minden mayor picks successor before his death: Bill Robertson wants Tommy Davis as interim|publisher=''Shreveport Times'', July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> First elected in 2006, Davis was until his election as mayor the only Republican on the current city council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/09302006/09302006_60.html|title=Webster Parish primary election returns, September 30, 2006|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> A businessman, Davis is a native of Stephens, Arkansas.
On July 11, 2013, the Minden City Council ignored Robertson's request and instead named one of the three African-American council members, Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Burgess Cornelius, Sr. (born 1942), as the interim mayor. Cornelius was elected in District A in 2010. The vote to appoint Cornelius was three-to-two along racial lines.<ref name=keel>KEEL Radio, Shreveport, Louisiana, July 11, 2013.</ref> Joe Cornelius, Sr., as he is known, formerly resided in [[New York City]] and in Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&qf=Joe&qmi=&qn=Cornelius&qcs=Minden%2C+LA&focusfirst=0|title=Joe Cornelius in Minden, LA|publisher=intelius.com|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> On July 15, 2013, the council named Wayne Edwards, the runner-up to Cornelius in the 2010 primary election,<ref name=octelection/> to succeed Cornelius. Edwards then won the seat in the October 19 special election which brought Davis to the mayor's office for a term of just over one year.<ref>"Edwards named to city council", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 15, 2013, p. 1.</ref>
On July 11, 2013, the Minden City Council ignored Robertson's request and instead named one of the three African-American council members, Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Burgess Cornelius, Sr. (born 1942), as the interim mayor. Cornelius was elected in District A in 2010. The vote to appoint Cornelius was three-to-two along racial lines.<ref name=keel>KEEL Radio, Shreveport, Louisiana, July 11, 2013.</ref> Joe Cornelius, Sr., as he is known, formerly resided in [[New York City]] and in Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&qf=Joe&qmi=&qn=Cornelius&qcs=Minden%2C+LA&focusfirst=0|title=Joe Cornelius in Minden, LA|publisher=intelius.com|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> On July 15, 2013, the council named Wayne Edwards, the runner-up to Cornelius in the 2010 primary election,<ref name=octelection/> to succeed Cornelius. Edwards then won the seat in the October 19 special election which brought Davis to the mayor's office for a term of just over one year.<ref>"Edwards named to city council", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 15, 2013, p. 1.</ref>
==References==
==References==
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