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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;27, 2003</B></FONT>

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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT>

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<P align="center"><FONT size="4">FORM S-8</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>Western Wireless Corporation</B></FONT>

<DIV align="center">
<HR size="1" noshade>
<FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></DIV>

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        <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2"><B>Washington</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">
<B>91-1638901<BR></B>
(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>3650 131st Avenue S.E.<BR>
Bellevue, Washington 98006</B><BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Amended and Restated 1994 Management Incentive Stock Option Plan</B><BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Full title of the plan)</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Jeffrey A. Christianson<BR>
General Counsel<BR>
3650 131st Avenue S.E.<BR>
Bellevue, Washington 98006<BR>
(425)&nbsp;586-8700</B><BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copies of all communications to:</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Matthew S. Topham<BR>
Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP<BR>
925 Fourth Avenue, Suite&nbsp;2900<BR>
Seattle, WA 98104-1158<BR>
(206)&nbsp;623-7580</B></FONT>

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<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Title of each class</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Proposed maximum</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Proposed maximum</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">of securities to be</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Amount to be</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">offering price per</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">aggregate offering</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">Amount of</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">registered</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">registered (1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">share(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">price(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1">registration fee(3)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Class&nbsp;A Common
Stock, no par value
per share</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">2,500,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">5.61</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">14,025,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">1,136.03</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P>
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      <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Includes an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be
issued to adjust the number of shares issued pursuant to the registrant&#146;s
Amended and Restated 1994 Management Incentive Stock Option Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;)
as the result of any future stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment
of the registrant&#146;s outstanding common stock.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><TR><TD><TR><TD><TR><TD>
<TR valign="top">
      <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">This registration statement relates to 2,500,000 shares issuable
pursuant to the Plan. 1,750,703 shares issuable under the Plan have been
previously registered under Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-86437 and 5,849,297
shares issuable under the Plan have been previously registered under
Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-10421. Pursuant to General Instruction E to
Form&nbsp;S-8, the filing fee paid herewith is in respect of the additional
securities registered hereby.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><TR><TD><TR><TD><TR><TD>
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      <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(c) solely for purposes of calculating
amount of registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices
reported on March&nbsp;24, 2003, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<!-- link2 "PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) by Western Wireless Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;)
are hereby incorporated by reference into this registration statement:
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2002, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;27, 2003, which contains
audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for
which such statements have been filed.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp; All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;),
since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K
referred to in paragraph (a)&nbsp;above.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp; The description of the Company&#146;s Class&nbsp;A Common Stock, no par value
per share, which is incorporated by reference in the Form&nbsp;8-A dated April&nbsp;8,
1996, filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act (which incorporates the
description contained in the Company&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-1,
Commission File No.&nbsp;333-2432).
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
registration statement and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of
filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated above,
being hereinafter referred to as &#147;Incorporated Documents&#148;).
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated
Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified
or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this registration statement.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The validity of the Company&#146;s Class&nbsp;A Common Stock that may be offered
under the Plan will be passed upon for the Company by Preston Gates &#038; Ellis
LLP, 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite&nbsp;2900, Seattle, Washington 98104-1158. Attorneys
who are partners or employed by Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP who have provided
advice with respect to this matter in the aggregate own less than
10,000 shares of
the Company&#146;s Class&nbsp;A Common Stock.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;23B.08.510 of the Revised Code of Washington authorizes Washington
corporations to indemnify their officers and directors under certain
circumstances against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings
involving such persons because of their being or having been an officer or
director. The Company&#146;s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws require
indemnification of the Company&#146;s officers and directors to the fullest extent
permitted by Washington law. The Company also maintains directors&#146; and
officers&#146; liability insurance.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Company shall, to the full extent permitted by the Washington Business
Corporation Act of the State of Washington, as amended from time to time (the
&#147;Washington Business Act&#148;), indemnify all directors and officers of the
Company. In addition, the Company&#146;s Articles of Incorporation contain a
provision eliminating the personal liability of directors to the Company or its
shareholders for monetary damages arising out of a breach of fiduciary duty.
Under Washington law, this provision eliminates the liability of a director for
breach of fiduciary duty but does not eliminate the personal liability of any
director for (i)&nbsp;acts or omissions of a director that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (ii)&nbsp;conduct in violation of Section
23B.08.310 of the Revised Code of Washington (which section relates to unlawful
distributions) or (iii)&nbsp;any transaction from which a director personally
received a benefit in money, property or services to which the director was not
legally entitled.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each
of its directors and executive officers.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</FONT>


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        <TD nowrap COLSPAN="3" align="center"><FONT size="1">Exhibit Number</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1">Description</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD colspan="3" nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP regarding legality of
securities being registered</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Independent Accountants</FONT></TD>
</TR>

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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Powers of Attorney (contained within signature page)</FONT></TD>
</TR>


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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Western Wireless Corporation 1994
Management Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by
reference to Appendix&nbsp;A to the Western Wireless Corporation
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule&nbsp;14A filed on April&nbsp;18, 2002)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">2
</FONT>

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<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp; To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp; To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s
annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
</FONT>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3
</FONT>

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<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Bellevue, State of Washington, on this 27th day of
March, 2003.
</FONT>

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        <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="39%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION</FONT></DIV></TD>
</TR>

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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Jeffrey A. Christianson<HR size="1" noshade>Jeffrey A. Christianson<BR>
Sr. Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

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<!-- link1 "POWER OF ATTORNEY" -->
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints each of John W. Stanton and Jeffrey A.
Christianson, signing singly, his or her attorney-in-fact, for him or her in
any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement,
and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
</FONT>
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<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signatures</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ John W. Stanton</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Mikal J. Thomsen</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President, and Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Theresa E. Gillespie</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice Chairman and Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ M. Wayne Wisehart</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Scott A. Soley</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ John L. Bunce, Jr.</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Mitchell R. Cohen</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>


<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Daniel J. Evans</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Jonathan M. Nelson</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Terence M. O&#146;Toole</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD valign="bottom"><FONT size="2"><HR size="1" noshade>
/s/ Peter H. van Oppen</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">March 27, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v88808sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 31021}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WESTERN WIRELESS CORP", "cik": "0000930738", "assigned-sic": "4812", "irs-number": "911638901", "state-of-incorporation": "WA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-104075", "film-number": "03621745"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3650 131 ST AVENUE SE", "street2": "SUITE 400", "city": "BELLEVUE", "state": "WA", "zip": "98006", "phone": "4255868700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3650 131ST AVE. S.E", "street2": "SUITE 400", "city": "BELLEVUE", "state": "WA", "zip": "98006"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2003
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Western Wireless Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
91-1638901
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3650 131st Avenue S.E.
Bellevue, Washington 98006
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)
Amended and Restated 1994 Management Incentive Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Jeffrey A. Christianson
General Counsel
3650 131st Avenue S.E.
Bellevue, Washington 98006
(425) 586-8700
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Matthew S. Topham
Preston Gates & Ellis LLP
925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900
Seattle, WA 98104-1158
(206) 623-7580
Title of each class
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
of securities to be
Amount to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
Amount of
registered
registered (1)
share(3)
price(3)
registration fee(3)
Class A Common
Stock, no par value
per share
2,500,000
(2)
$
5.61
$
14,025,000
$
1,136.03
(1)
Includes an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be
issued to adjust the number of shares issued pursuant to the registrant's
Amended and Restated 1994 Management Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan")
as the result of any future stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment
of the registrant's outstanding common stock.
(2)
This registration statement relates to 2,500,000 shares issuable
pursuant to the Plan. 1,750,703 shares issuable under the Plan have been
previously registered under Registration Statement No. 333-86437 and 5,849,297
shares issuable under the Plan have been previously registered under
Registration Statement No. 333-10421. Pursuant to General Instruction E to
Form S-8, the filing fee paid herewith is in respect of the additional
securities registered hereby.
(3)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for purposes of calculating
amount of registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices
reported on March 24, 2003, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") by Western Wireless Corporation (the "Company")
are hereby incorporated by reference into this registration statement:
(a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002, filed with the Commission on March 27, 2003, which contains
audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for
which such statements have been filed.
(b)  All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report on Form 10-K
referred to in paragraph (a) above.
(c)  The description of the Company's Class A Common Stock, no par value
per share, which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-A dated April 8,
1996, filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act (which incorporates the
description contained in the Company's registration statement on Form S-1,
Commission File No. 333-2432).
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
registration statement and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of
filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated above,
being hereinafter referred to as "Incorporated Documents").
Any statement in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated
Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified
or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
The validity of the Company's Class A Common Stock that may be offered
under the Plan will be passed upon for the Company by Preston Gates & Ellis
LLP, 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900, Seattle, Washington 98104-1158. Attorneys
who are partners or employed by Preston Gates & Ellis LLP who have provided
advice with respect to this matter in the aggregate own less than
10,000 shares of
the Company's Class A Common Stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 23B.08.510 of the Revised Code of Washington authorizes Washington
corporations to indemnify their officers and directors under certain
circumstances against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings
involving such persons because of their being or having been an officer or
director. The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws require
indemnification of the Company's officers and directors to the fullest extent
permitted by Washington law. The Company also maintains directors' and
officers' liability insurance.
The Company's Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Company shall, to the full extent permitted by the Washington Business
Corporation Act of the State of Washington, as amended from time to time (the
"Washington Business Act"), indemnify all directors and officers of the
Company. In addition, the Company's Articles of Incorporation contain a
provision eliminating the personal liability of directors to the Company or its
shareholders for monetary damages arising out of a breach of fiduciary duty.
Under Washington law, this provision eliminates the liability of a director for
breach of fiduciary duty but does not eliminate the personal liability of any
director for (i) acts or omissions of a director that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (ii) conduct in violation of Section
23B.08.310 of the Revised Code of Washington (which section relates to unlawful
distributions) or (iii) any transaction from which a director personally
received a benefit in money, property or services to which the director was not
legally entitled.
The Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each
of its directors and executive officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit Number
Description
5.1
Opinion of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP regarding legality of
securities being registered
23.1
Consent of Independent Accountants
23.2
Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24
Powers of Attorney (contained within signature page)
99.1
Amended and Restated Western Wireless Corporation 1994
Management Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by
reference to Appendix A to the Western Wireless Corporation
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 18, 2002)
2
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
(2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Bellevue, State of Washington, on this 27th day of
March, 2003.
WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Jeffrey A. Christianson
Jeffrey A. Christianson
Sr. Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints each of John W. Stanton and Jeffrey A.
Christianson, signing singly, his or her attorney-in-fact, for him or her in
any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement,
and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/ John W. Stanton
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
March 27, 2003
/s/ Mikal J. Thomsen
President, and Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ Theresa E. Gillespie
Vice Chairman and Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ M. Wayne Wisehart
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)
March 27, 2003
/s/ Scott A. Soley
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
March 27, 2003
/s/ John L. Bunce, Jr.
Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ Mitchell R. Cohen
Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ Daniel J. Evans
Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ Jonathan M. Nelson
Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ Terence M. O'Toole
Director
March 27, 2003
/s/ Peter H. van Oppen
Director
March 27, 2003