Billy McCray
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Billy McCray | |
---|---|
Member of the Kansas Senate from the 29th district | |
In office 1973–1984 | |
Succeeded by | Eugene Anderson |
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 77th district | |
In office 1967–1972 | |
Succeeded by | Newt Male |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] Geary, Oklahoma, U.S. | October 29, 1927
Died | Wichita, Kansas | June 2, 2012
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Wyvette M. Williams (m. 1951) |
Children | At least 2, incl. Melody McCray-Miller[2] |
Residence | Wichita, Kansas |
Billy Quincy McCray (October 29, 1927 – June 2, 2012) was an American politician who served in the Kansas State Senate and Kansas House of Representatives as a Democrat. As a member of the State Senate, he was the only African-American in the body.[3]
Early life and background
[edit]McCray was born in Geary, Oklahoma and married in 1951.[1] He had several children, including Melody McCray-Miller, who would follow in his footsteps by joining the Kansas House.[2] He worked at Boeing, and was among the first Black members of the company's photography team.[4]
Political career
[edit]In the 1966 elections, he won a seat in the Kansas House, and served there for three terms before moving up to the Kansas Senate in the 1972 elections. He served three terms in the 29th district before leaving the legislature. During his term in office, McCray was the only African-American member of the Kansas Senate.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Kansas Legislators, Past and Present - McCray, Billy". kslib.info. State Library of Kansas. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ a b Jackson, Frances (April 21, 2022). "Interview of Melody McCray-Miller". ksoralhistory.org. Kansas Oral History Project. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Loomis, Burdett (March 30, 2015). "Interview of Fred Kerr". ksoralhistory.org. Kansas Oral History Project. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Tanner, Becca (2012-06-04). "Longtime Wichita politician Billy Q. McCray remembered as 'advocate for the community'". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2024-08-23.