The Story of Us: Tom Bevill

Tom Bevill was born March 27, 1921, in Townley, Alabama. His father, Herman, owned a store that sold "everything from Model T Fords to caskets." Bevill attended Walker County High School, graduated from The University of Alabama, then enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a lieutenant colonel and participated in the D-Day invasion during World War II. He remained in the reserves for several years. He told his son, local attorney Don Bevill, that the military made him disciplined. 

Bevill received his law degree from Alabama in 1948. A decade later, he was elected to the Alabama Legislature and was elected to Congress in 1966. He served a total of 15 terms in Alabama's 4th and 7th Congressional districts from 1966 to 1997.

Bevill is well known for his efforts to secure government funds for the state of Alabama, and was instrumental in the building of Corridor X. Today, a community college and an industrial park both bear his name.

Regardless of how busy he was, Bevill always took time for his family. If they called when he was in Washington, he would always take the call. 

On Sundays, Bevill took the family target shooting in Townley. On Decoration Day, they visited the cemetery where his relatives were buried. Sometimes they went hiking at Cheaha Park. Often, they would rise at 5:30 to go skiing at Smith Lake. Don Bevill recalls his father jumping from a cliff into 65 feet of water. 

At home, Bevill and his family would eat popcorn and peanuts and watch a John Wayne movie on TV.

Don Bevill

Tom Bevill has often been referred to as a "Southern gentleman” because of his affability and was highly respected by both Democrats and Republicans. Bevill never forgot his Alabama roots and was very approachable. If a constituent saw him on the street and talked to him, he would take out his notebook, write down their phone number, and call them back later. He also had a phone installed in the sofa at home and kept a stack of notes nearby.

Bevill was also active in various civic organizations, including the Lions Club. He once quipped, "I'm so busy, I use two combs to comb my hair.”

After Bevill retired from politics in 1997, he shared a law practice with son, Don. He passed away March 28, 2005, the day after his 84th birthday.