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Title: Willys Peck Papers
Dates: 1950-1988
Collection Number: 2013-59
Creator/Collector:
Peck, Willys I.
American Newspaper Guild. Local 98 (San Jose, Calif.)
San Jose Mercury-news
Extent: 5 linear feet (5 boxes)
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Papers from the estate of Willys I. Peck related to his work for the San Jose Mercury News and the American Newspaper Guild.
Language of Material: English
Open to the public for research by appointment.
Contact History San Jose Research Library for information on publication and reproduction.
[Identification of item]. Willys Peck Papers. Collection Number: 2013-59. History San Jose Research Library
Donated to History San Jose after Peck's death in 2013. The collection is comprised of several accruals over a period of eight
years as Peck's estate was processed.
Biography/Administrative History
According to his Mercury News obituary, Peck graduated from UC Berkeley in 1949 with a degree in journalism, and began his
career as a journalist for the San Jose Mercury Herald as a copy editor and assistant city editor. Years later he wrote a
column for the Saratoga News. In 1962 he graduated from Santa Clara Law School and practiced law until returning to the Mercury
where he continued to work on the city desk even after his official retirement in 1989 for a total of 55 years.
He was born August 21, 1923, and served in World War II as a member of the 20th armored division. He died at his Saratoga,
California, home on April 16, 2013, survived by his wife Betty, and two children.
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers from the estate of Willys I. Peck related to his work for the San Jose Mercury News and the American Newspaper Guild.
Includes performance evaluations, letters from the public, and Mercury News employee publications, as well as American Newspaper
Guild Local 98 publications, Guild memoranda, Gridiron Dinner programs, Gridiron skits, and several comedic plays written
by Peck.
Journalists
Labor unions
Strikes and lockouts
Newspapers
Employees' magazines, newsletters, etc
Nineteen fifties
Nineteen eighties
Nineteen sixties
Nineteen seventies
San Jose (Calif.)