Finding Aid for the William Whitaker papers

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: William Whitaker papers
Inclusive Dates: 1964-2010
Author: Finding aid prepared by Amanda Faehnel, March 2026
Origination: Whitaker, Bill, 1944-2025
Extent: 1.5 cubic feet (2 boxes = 1 record storage box, 1 half size record storage box and 2 oversized map case files)
Physical Location: 11th floor (May 4 Collection, Boxes 316-317)
Abstract: This collection documents William Whitaker's role as a lawyer involved in various legal proceedings arising from the Kent State Shootings of 1970 and their aftermath. 
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Biography of William Whitaker

Born in 1944, William T. Whitaker, Jr., (“Bill”) spent the bulk of his career as a lawyer committed to issues of social justice. Heavily involved in the anti-war movement of the late 1960s and 1970s, Whitaker was a founding member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Kent State University in 1968 while an undergraduate. 

Whitaker was a law student at the University of Akron during the Kent State Shootings of May 1970. He launched his legal career by helping to coordinate the defense of the “Kent 25,” the students and faculty who were indicted as a result of the shootings. Additionally, Whitaker was a spokesperson and trustee for the Kent Legal Defense Fund and, later, a member of the May 4 Coalition, both organizations created to aid and defend students involved in litigation stemming from the shootings. Whitaker went on to represent cases related to the aftermath of the Kent State Shootings, notably working to represent those involved with the Gym Annex Controversy of 1977.

In subsequent decades, Whitaker held a long and celebrated legal career and was often described as championing the underdog throughout his life. He died in 2025. 

Scope and Content

The William Whitaker papers document Whitaker's role as a lawyer involved in legal cases arising from the Kent State Shootings of May 4, 1970 and the Gym Annex Controversy of 1977. The bulk of this collection includes legal documents, subject files, and correspondence related to these cases. 

Statement of Arrangement 

The William Whitaker papers are divided into series as follows: 

• Series 1: Correspondence, 1977-1978
• Series 2: Ephemera, 1977-2010
• Series 3: Legal Documents, 1970-1979
  • Subseries 1: Portage County, Court of Common Pleas, 1977-1978
  • Subseries 2: Portage County, Municipal Court, 1977-1979
  • Subseries 3: Ohio, Court of Appeals, 1977-1978
  • Subseries 4: Ohio, Supreme Court, 1977
  • Subseries 5: United States, Court of Appeals, 1971-1977
  • Subseries 6: United States, District Court, 1970-1977
• Series 4: Subject Files, 1964-1978

Preferred Citation

William Whitaker papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. 

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to Kent State University by Andrea Whitaker. 

Controlled Access Headings

The following are found in this collection:

Subjects:

Box 316
Folder -- Contents

Series 1: Correspondence, 1977

1. Arthrell, Bill, December 1977
2. Beavers, Linda, August 1977
3. Blanchard, Evelyn, August 1977
4. "Colleagues," June 1977
5. Federman, Jerry, August 1977
6. Jacquemet, Kevin, July 1977
7. Love, Bill, July 1977
8. Mattey, Ruth, July 1977
9. McCartney, D. Lanty, July 1977
10. McGuigan, Marguerite, July 1978
11. "Mim," October 1977
12. Olds, Glenn, June 1977
13. Parisi, Steve, July 1977
14. Redfern, Mary, July 1977
15. Scribner, David, June 1977
16. Stanevich, Jane, July 1977
17. Walsh, Anthony, October 1977
18. Unidentified, November 1977

Series 2: Ephemera, 1977-2010

19. Button, "Kent 25," undated
20. Button, "1970-2010," May 2010
21. Poster, Kent SDS Gathering, May 2005
      Physical Location: Shelved in map case.
22. Poster, Notice to Vacate, July 1977
      Physical Location: Shelved in map case.

Series 3: Legal Case Documents, 1970-1979

Subseries 1: Portage County, Court of Common Pleas, 1977-1978

23. Case Number 77-CR-0185, State of Ohio v. Hope Foster, 1977
24. Case Number 77-CV-0885, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Fattima Abdullah, et al., 1977-1978
         Scope and Content: Agreement and Release
25. Case Number 77-CV-0885, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Fattima Abdullah, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Contempt
26. Case Number 77-CV-0885, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Fattima Abdullah, et al., 1978
         Scope and Content: Contempt
27. Case Number 77-CV-0885, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Fattima Abdullah, et al.,1977
         Scope and Content: Release of Funds
28. Case Number 77-CV-0885, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Fattima Abdullah, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Subpoenas
29. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al.,1977-1978
         Scope and Content: Agreement and Release
30. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Judgment
31. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Motions
32. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Notices
33. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Orders
34. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Temporary Restraining Order
35. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Temporary Restraining Order, Affidavits in Support of, Folder 1 of 2
36. Case Number 77-CV-1486, State of Ohio ex rel. Board of Trustees of Kent State University v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977
         Scope and Content: Temporary Restraining Order, Affidavits in Support of, Folder 2 of 2

Subseries 2: Portage County, Municipal Court, 1977-1979

37. Case Numbers R77-CRB-1181S-1241S, State of Ohio v. Cathy Oltman, et al., 1977
38. Case Numbers R77-CRB-1201S-12228S, State of Ohio v. Sue Hartman, et al., 1979
39. Case Numbers R77-CRB-1693S-1696S, State of Ohio v. Roberto Bolandrina, 1977

Subseries 3: Ohio, Court of Appeals, 1977-1978

40. Case Number 781, State ex rel. Aplee v. Fattima Abdullah, et al., 1977
41. Case Number 800, State ex rel. Board of Trustees v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1978
42. Case Number 803, State ex rel. Board of Trustees v. Jerry Alter, et al., 1977

Subseries 4: Ohio, Supreme Court, 1977

43. Case Number 77-989, State ex rel. Student Caucus v. George Janik, et al., 1977

Subseries 5: United States, Court of Appeals, 1971-1977

44. Case Number 71-1278, Kenneth J. Hammond, et al. v. Paul W. Brown, et al., 1971
45. Case Number 76-1095, Arthur Krause, et al. v. James A. Rhodes, et al., 1977  

Subseries 6: United States, District Court, 1970-1977

46. Case Number C70-998 and C70-1039, Kenneth J. Hammond, et al. v. Paul W. Brown, et al., 1970
47. Case Number C77-809, Chic Canfora, et al. v. Glenn Olds, et al., 1977

Box 317
Folder -- Contents

Series 4: Subject Files, 1964-1978

1. Board of Trustees, Kent State University, 1964-1977
2. Chronology, Gym Annex Controversy, 1977
3. Kent Legal Defense Fund, 1977
4. Kent State Grand Jury, undated
5. Mandamus, 1977
6. May 4 Coalition, undated
7. May 4 Commemoration Committee, undated
8. National Historic Site designation, 1977
9. News Clippings, 1970-1977
10. Notes, undated
11. Press Statement, 1978
12. Publications, 1977-1978
13. Relief Opinions, undated 
14. Witness Lists, undated