William R. Snodgrass | Ex-Tenn. comptroller, 85

Former Tennessee Comptroller William R. Snodgrass, 85, who held the office for 44 years before semi-retiring, has died.

Mr. Snodgrass died at home in Nashville on Sunday after a short illness, the Comptroller's Office said Monday.

Lawmakers first elected Mr. Snodgrass as comptroller in 1955. He went on to serve 22 consecutive two-year terms as comptroller of the treasury. His time in office spanned the administrations of seven governors and 23 General Assemblies.

Mr. Snodgrass was an accountant at the University of Tennessee's Municipal Technical Assistance Services when he was hired as a budget director for 32-year-old Gov. Frank Clement in 1953.

"It's fundamental that you don't spend money you don't have," Mr. Snodgrass said in a 1999 interview.

Tennessee's bond rating climbed from single-A in the 1950s to triple-A by 1998.

Such ratings are key to borrowing money, particularly for expensive infrastructure projects. Mr. Snodgrass cited the bond rating as his most important contribution. - AP