William Douglas (Northern Ireland politician)

For the Secretary of the Ulster Unionist Council, see Billy Douglas (politician).

William Douglas
Chief whip of the Ulster Unionist Party in the Northern Ireland Assembly
In office 1982–1986
Leader	James Molyneaux
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Londonderry
In office 20 October 1982 – 1986
Preceded by	Assembly re-established
Succeeded by	Assembly dissolved
In office 28 June 1973 – 1974
Preceded by	Assembly established
Succeeded by	Assembly abolished
Member of the Constitutional Convention for Londonderry
In office 1975–1976
Preceded by	Convention created
Succeeded by	Convention abolished
Member of Limavady Rural Council
In office 1960–1973
Succeeded by	Council abolished
Personal details
Born	10 January 1923 Limavady, Northern Ireland
Died	17 May 2013
Political party	Ulster Unionist Party

William Albert Boyd Douglas (10 January 1923 – 17 May 2013) was a Northern Irish unionist politician and farmer.

Background

Douglas worked as a farmer and served as a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He rose to prominence as Limavady District Master in the Orange Order, leading protests against the civil rights movement, and organising loyalist demonstrations in Dungiven.

William, also was a man that was capable of writing a catchy melody. He wrote tunes for bands and they are still played today regularly. Most of these tunes were used by his home band;Boveva Flue Band.

Douglas was also active in the Ulster Unionist Party. From 1960 to 1973, he served on Limavady Rural District Council. He was then elected in Londonderry for the Ulster Unionist Party at the 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, and held his seat on the Constitutional Convention and at the 1982 Assembly, at which he served as Ulster Unionist Chief Whip. He strongly opposed the Good Friday Agreement.

Douglas' son, known as Boyd Douglas, also became a politician.