UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 5 ANNUAL STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP ( ) Check box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instructions 1(b). ( ) Form 3 Holdings Reported ( ) Form 4 Transactions Reported 1. Name and Address of Reporting Person Kelly, Jr., Thorpe M. Western Wireless Corporation 3650 131st Avenue SE Bellevue, WA 98006 USA 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol Western Wireless Corporation WWCA 3. IRS or Social Security Number of Reporting Person (Voluntary) 4. Statement for Month/Year December 31, 2001 5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Year) 6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) ( ) Director ( ) 10% Owner (X) Officer (give title below) ( ) Other (specify below) Senior Vice President 7. Individual or Joint/Group Reporting (Check Applicable Line) (X) Form filed by One Reporting Person ( ) Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Explanation of Responses: (1) 20% vested on the date of grant; remaining 80% vest in four equal annual increments beginning 1/1/2002. SIGNATURE OF REPORTING PERSON /.s/ Thorpe M. Kelly, Jr. DATE 2/7/2002

WESTERN WIRELESS CORP 5