Douglas worked as a
farmer and served as a
flight lieutenant in the
Royal Air Force during
World War II. He rose to prominence as
Limavady District Master in the
Orange Order, leading protests against the
civil rights movement, and organising
loyalist demonstrations in
Dungiven. William, also was a man that was capable of writing a catchy melody. He wrote tunes for bands and they are still played today regularly. Most of these tunes were used by his home band;Boveva Flute Band. Douglas was also active in the
Ulster Unionist Party. From 1960 to 1973, he served on Limavady
Rural District Council. He was then elected in
Londonderry for the
Ulster Unionist Party at the
1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, and held his seat on the
Constitutional Convention and at the
1982 Assembly, at which he served as
Ulster Unionist Chief Whip. He strongly opposed the
Good Friday Agreement. Douglas' son, known as
Boyd Douglas, also became a politician. ==References==