Nomination of William A. Wilson To Be United States Ambassador to the Holy See

The President today announced his intention to nominate William A. Wilson to be Ambassador to the Holy See.

Mr. Wilson has been serving since February of 1981 as the President's Personal Representative to the Holy See.

A registered mechanical and metallurgical engineer in California, Mr. Wilson was the president of Web Wilson Oil Tools, Inc., until 1960, and thereafter he was active in real estate development. Among his civic activities, Mr. Wilson is a member of the board of trustees of St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, CA, serving on various committees. He is also a member of the board of regents of the University of California. He served as a member of the California Post Secondary Education Commission and the Commission of the Californias, an organization for the promotion of better understanding between California and Baja California.

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Mr. Wilson attended Stanford University and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps as a captain. Mr. Wilson is married to the former Elizabeth Johnson, and they have two children and six grandchildren.