William Wier

William Elvin Wier (born before 1865 in Pickens County - died February 1931 in Etowah County) was Chief of the Birmingham Police Department from 1901 to 1910, a period when the position was elected at-large by city voters.

Wier was the youngest of five children born on a farm in Pickens County to James Stewart and Sarah Louisa Horton Wier shortly before their divorce in 1865. His older brother Thomas became a prominent Tampa, Florida businessman and was present at the assassination of President William McKinley.

Wier married the former Eula Vance and had two children, William V. and Aileen.

Wier was elected Birmingham Police Chief in 1901 and was re-elected in 1903 and 1905. He was returned to office by only a narrow margin in the 1907 municipal election. He allied himself with successful mayoral candidate George Ward and identified liquor and sporting interests as supporters of his opponents.

Wier did not run in the 1910 election which was won by Goerge Bodeker. He retired to Etowah County where he died in 1931.

Preceded by: C. W. Austin

Chief of Birmingham Police Department 1901–1910

Succeeded by: George Bodeker

References

• "Statements from some of the successful candidates" (February 19, 1907) Birmingham News
• Florida Historical Society (1909) Makers of America: An Historical and Biographical Work by an Able Corps of Writers. A. B. Caldwell