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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;30, 2004</B>



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="15%">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B><BR>
<B><I>UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</I></B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>Western Wireless Corporation</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Washington</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>91-1638901</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</B></TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>3650 131st Avenue S.E.<BR>
Bellevue, Washington 98006<BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Western Wireless Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan<BR>
Western Wireless Corporation Executive Restricted Stock Plan<BR>
(Full title of the plan)</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Jeffrey A. Christianson<BR>
Sr. Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
3650 131 <B><SUP>st</SUP></B> Avenue S.E.<BR>
Bellevue, Washington 98006<BR>
(425)&nbsp;586-8700<BR>
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B><I>Copies of all communications to:</I></B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Richard B. Dodd<BR>
Matthew S. Topham<BR>
Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP<BR>
925 Fourth Avenue, Suite&nbsp;2900<BR>
Seattle, WA 98104<BR>
(206)&nbsp;623-7580</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

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    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of each class of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>securities to be registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registered (1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>per share</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>fee(2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Class&nbsp;A Common Stock,
no par value per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">8,656,990</TD>
    <TD nowrap>(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">29.13</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">252,178,118.70</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">29,681.36</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>

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<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Includes an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be
issued to adjust the number of shares issued pursuant to the
registrant&#146;s 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan or Executive
Restricted Stock Plan as the result of any future stock split, stock
dividend or similar adjustment of the registrant&#146;s outstanding common
stock.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">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 December&nbsp;23, 2004, as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">8,000,000 of the shares are registered to be offered or sold pursuant
to the Western Wireless Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive
Plan and 656,990 of the shares are registered to be offered or sold
pursuant to the Western Wireless Corporation Executive Restricted
Stock Plan. The plans named in the preceding sentence are
collectively referred to in this registration statement as the
&#147;Plans.&#148;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;


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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
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</TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#000">PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v04311orexv5w1.txt">EXHIBIT 5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v04311orexv23w1.txt">EXHIBIT 23.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v04311orexv99w1.txt">EXHIBIT 99.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v04311orexv99w2.txt">EXHIBIT 99.2</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v04311orexv99w3.txt">EXHIBIT 99.3</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v04311orexv99w4.txt">EXHIBIT 99.4</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<!-- link2 "PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003,
filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;12, 2004, as amended on November&nbsp;15, 2004, which contains
audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for which such statements
have been filed.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;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 &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), since the end of the fiscal year
covered by the Annual Report on Form 10-K referred to in paragraph (a)&nbsp;above.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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 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 S-1, Commission File No.&nbsp;333-2432).


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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;).


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>


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

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;23B.08.510 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, as amended from time to
time (the &#147;Act&#148;) 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 Amended and
Restated 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.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Bylaws and Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Company shall, to the full extent permitted by the Act, indemnify all directors and officers of the
Company and advance expenses to each of the Company&#146;s currently acting and former directors,
subject to certain exceptions in the Bylaws. In addition, the Company&#146;s Amended and Restated
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


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">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)&nbsp;conduct in violation of Section&nbsp;23B.08.310 of the Act (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.



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of its
directors and executive officers.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit Number</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Preston Gates &#038; Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (contained within signature pages)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Western Wireless Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Western Wireless
Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (non-officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Western Wireless
Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to Western
Wireless Corporation Executive Restricted Stock Plan</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&#146;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.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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.



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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 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 December&nbsp;29, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ John W. Stanton</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">John W. Stanton<br>
<I>Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer</I></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
severally constitutes and appoints John W. Stanton and Jeffery A. Christianson, and each of them,
individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, the full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each
said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&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.

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    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;John&nbsp;W.
Stanton<HR size="1" noshade>
John W. Stanton
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Theresa&nbsp;E.
Gillespie<HR size="1" noshade>
Theresa E. Gillespie
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice Chairman and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Mikal&nbsp;J.
Thomsen<HR size="1" noshade>
Mikal J. Thomsen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;M.
Wayne Wisehart<HR size="1" noshade>
M. Wayne Wisehart
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Scott&nbsp;A.
Soley<HR size="1" noshade>
Scott A. Soley
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice President and Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;John&nbsp;L.
Bunce&nbsp;Jr.<HR size="1" noshade>
John L. Bunce Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Mitchell&nbsp;R.
Cohen<HR size="1" noshade>
Mitchell R. Cohen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

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    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Daniel&nbsp;J.
Evans<HR size="1" noshade>
Daniel J. Evans
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><HR size="1" noshade>
Jonathan M. Nelson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Peter&nbsp;H.
van Oppen<HR size="1" noshade>
Peter H. van Oppen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;Peggy&nbsp;V.
Phillips<HR size="1" noshade>
Peggy V. Phillips
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December&nbsp;29, 2004</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>


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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2004
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
91-1638901
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3650 131st Avenue S.E.
Bellevue, Washington 98006
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)
Western Wireless Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan
Western Wireless Corporation Executive Restricted Stock Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Jeffrey A. Christianson
Sr. Vice President and General Counsel
3650 131
st
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:
Richard B. Dodd
Matthew S. Topham
Preston Gates & Ellis LLP
925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 623-7580
Proposed
Proposed
Amount
maximum
maximum
Amount of
Title of each class of
to be
offering price
aggregate
registration
securities to be registered
registered (1)
per share
offering price
fee(2)
Class A Common Stock,
no par value per share
8,656,990
(3)
$
29.13
$
252,178,118.70
$
29,681.36
(1)
Includes an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be
issued to adjust the number of shares issued pursuant to the
registrant's 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan or Executive
Restricted Stock Plan as the result of any future stock split, stock
dividend or similar adjustment of the registrant's outstanding common
stock.
(2)
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 December 23, 2004, as reported on the Nasdaq
National Market.
Table of Contents
(3)
8,000,000 of the shares are registered to be offered or sold pursuant
to the Western Wireless Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive
Plan and 656,990 of the shares are registered to be offered or sold
pursuant to the Western Wireless Corporation Executive Restricted
Stock Plan. The plans named in the preceding sentence are
collectively referred to in this registration statement as the
"Plans."
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT 5.1
EXHIBIT 23.1
EXHIBIT 99.1
EXHIBIT 99.2
EXHIBIT 99.3
EXHIBIT 99.4
Table of Contents
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, 2003,
filed with the Commission on March 12, 2004, as amended on November 15, 2004, 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 Plans
will be passed upon for the Company by Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900,
Seattle, Washington 98104. Attorneys who are partners or employed by Preston Gates & Ellis LLP who
have provided advice with respect to this matter own shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 23B.08.510 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, as amended from time to
time (the "Act") 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 Amended and
Restated 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 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Company shall, to the full extent permitted by the Act, indemnify all directors and officers of the
Company and advance expenses to each of the Company's currently acting and former directors,
subject to certain exceptions in the Bylaws. In addition, the Company's Amended and Restated
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
Table of Contents
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 Act (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
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
23.2
Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24
Powers of Attorney (contained within signature pages)
99.1
Western Wireless Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan
99.2
Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Western Wireless
Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (non-officer)
99.3
Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Western Wireless
Corporation 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (officer)
99.4
Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to Western
Wireless Corporation Executive Restricted Stock Plan
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.
Table of Contents
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.
Table of Contents
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 December 29, 2004.
WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
/s/ John W. Stanton
John W. Stanton
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
severally constitutes and appoints John W. Stanton and Jeffery A. Christianson, and each of them,
individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, the full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each
said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully 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.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ John W.
Stanton
John W. Stanton
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
December 29, 2004
/s/ Theresa E.
Gillespie
Theresa E. Gillespie
Vice Chairman and Director
December 29, 2004
/s/ Mikal J.
Thomsen
Mikal J. Thomsen
President and Director
December 29, 2004
/s/ M.
Wayne Wisehart
M. Wayne Wisehart
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
December 29, 2004
/s/ Scott A.
Soley
Scott A. Soley
Vice President and Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
December 29, 2004
/s/ John L.
Bunce Jr.
John L. Bunce Jr.
Director
December 29, 2004
/s/ Mitchell R.
Cohen
Mitchell R. Cohen
Director
December 29, 2004
Table of Contents
/s/ Daniel J.
Evans
Daniel J. Evans
Director
December 29, 2004
Jonathan M. Nelson
Director
December    , 2004
/s/ Peter H.
van Oppen
Peter H. van Oppen
Director
December 29, 2004
/s/ Peggy V.
Phillips
Peggy V. Phillips
Director
December 29, 2004