LAMPASAS (August 24, 2012)--Lampasas native Bill O'Neal was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry as the state historian this week.

O'Neal, who has written 36 books and about 200 articles on the American West is a former Lampasas Middle School teacher and sports coach, who’s now a nonfiction author and history instructor at Panola College in Carthage.

He has written books on a variety of topics including gun fighting, Texas country music and even baseball.

He is a member of the Texas State Historical Association and a past president of the East Texas Historical Association.

Some of his awards include the National Association of Outlaw and Lawmen Association (NOLA) award for his book, The Johnson County War, a literary award for Best Article of the Year for "Texas--Gunfighter Capitol of the West" in Wild West Magazine and was recently presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the field of western history.

Perry's office said O'Neal is slated to serve in the post until Aug. 22, 2014.