William Elmer Neal (October 14, 1875 - November 12, 1959) was a physician and U.S. Representative from West Virginia. He graduated from Proctorville High School in 1894 and taught school in western Kentucky for several years. After graduating from medical school and completing an internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1907, he chose to practice in Huntington.
Neal was highly respected for his professional expertise as a physician and was known for his good bedside manner. Neal's first experience as an elected official decreased the pace of his medical practice by necessity, though he insisted on continuing to deliver babies.
Neal was one of the leading proponents of an independent board to administer Huntington's public parks. The Huntington Park Board was authorized by voters in 1930. He became an original member of the six-person board, a position he occupied for more than two decades.
He retired from a long and distinguished career as a physician at age 71.
He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in November 1950 and was the only Republican elected from Cabell County. He was the Republican nominee for West Virginia’s 4th Congressional District. At age 77, he was the oldest person ever to begin a first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Neal was able to continue using his knowledge of public health during the interim between his two terms by serving as a medical consultant to Afghanistan in 1955. He was appointed by the Foreign Operations Administration. Neal and his wife Susan had six children.
