Who is Wild Bill Emerson of Alablama circa 1980?

William Emerson (June 12, 1929 – June 23, 2013), known as Bill Emerson, was an American politician and businessman from Missouri, not from Alabama. He served in the United States House of Representatives for 16 terms, from 1981 until his death in 2013. He was the son of former U.S. Representative Jacob "Jake" Emerson and the younger brother of former Missouri state representative Richard "Dick" Emerson.

Emerson was a member of the Democratic Party throughout his career, until changing to the Republican Party on May 18, 2004.

While in Congress, Emerson represented Missouri's 8th congressional district from 1981 until 1993, and Missouri's 7th congressional district from 1993 to 2013. He served as the House Minority Whip from 1995 to 1999, and as the 52nd Mayor of Cape Girardeau, Missouri from 1959 to 1963. He was also a businessman and owned several radio stations in Missouri.