William Graves

John William "Bill" Graves (b. 1935 or 1936) is a former associate justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, serving from 1995 to 2006. Early life Graves graduated from St. Mary High School in Paducah, Kentucky. He then attended the University of Notre Dame on a scholarship. In 1953, his freshman year at Notre Dame, he became part of a group of seven friends called "The Gang" that also included future talk show host Phil Donahue. Both Graves and Donahue graduated in 1957. Graves then earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He returned to Paducah and opened a law practice. Graves was a judge advocate general in the United States Army, on active duty and as a reserve, for 35 years. He received training at the Command and General Staff College, the Air War College, and the National Defense University. He received the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals. He retired with the rank of colonel. Graves married Mary Ann Brievogel, and the couple had two sons, Tony and Kevin.