William Peterson

Born 22 November 1923
Died 17 July 1994
Elections 3 (3 won)
Bayanne Genealogy page

William 'Willie' Peterson was an auctioneer, a Lerwick Town Councillor and a Shetland Islands Councillor for Lerwick Sound between 1974 and 1976. He was for many years auctioneer at the old Shetland Marts on the South Road (Site now Tesco's Supermarket).

Biography

Willie was educated in Lerwick, and upon leaving school he found work as an apprentice panel beater. The outbreak of WWII saw him work in a slaughterhouse. He was said to have been called up three times for service, but each time he was taken off the boat to continue his work at the slaughterhouse. He received discharge papers despite not actually having served in the army, a rare occurence.

Willie joined the Shetland Marts in 1946 as a trainee auctioneer. He branched out on his own in 1951 for two years, until the Marts bought his business and installed him as a director of the new firm. He effectively ran the Shetland Marts from then on, becoming Managing Director and latterly Chairman.

He was the 1970 Guizer Jarl for the Lerwick Up Helly-Aa, and represented 'Einar Thambarskelver'.

Political Career

Political career of William Peterson
Year Election Council Votes Result
1970 Lerwick Town Council Election May 1970 Lerwick Town Council 802 Elected
1972 Lerwick Town Council Election May 1972 Lerwick Town Council Unopposed Elected
1974 Shetland Islands Council Election May 1974 (Lerwick Sound) Shetland Islands Council Unopposed Elected

Offices Held

Shetland Islands Council
Constituency created
Member for
Lerwick Sound

1974–1976
Succeeded by
Ian Byrne