The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1986 and 2005.

 

Tom Donald Fike Bevill first saw the light of day in the Walker County, Alabama, community of Townley.

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Tom Bevill graduated from Walker County High School at Jasper, Alabama, and continued the pursuit of his educational career at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. From this institution he received both a B.S. degree in Commerce and Business Administration and an L.L.B. degree from the School of Law. Mr. Bevill was later awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his Alma Mater, the University of Alabama.

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He served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II for 18 months in the European Theater of Operations, and later served in the Army Reserve.

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Tom Bevill married his college sweetheart, the former Lou Betts of Margaret, Alabama. They are the parents of three children: Susan, Don, and Patty.

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Mr. Bevill practiced law in Jasper for 18 years and during this time participated in the civic, educational, and religious affairs of his city and area.

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Elected to membership in the United States House of Representatives on November 8, 1966, Bevill was the first candidate for Congress in Alabama history to receive more than l00,000 votes. This feat was accomplished in 1968. He was then re-elected to this high office.  

Congressman Bevill was a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and chairman of its Energy and Water Development Subcommittee. He was an outstanding advocate of the Social Security System. Tom Bevill retired after thirty years of service in 1998.

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Tom Bevill died on March 28, 2005.