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]

Billy McCray
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 29th district
In office
1973–1984
Succeeded byEugene Anderson
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
from the 77th district
In office
1967–1972
Succeeded byNewt Male
Personal details
Born(1927-10-29)October 29, 1927[1]
Geary, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died(2012-06-02)June 2, 2012
Wichita, Kansas
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseWyvette M. Williams (m. 1951)
ChildrenAt least 2, incl. Melody McCray-Miller[2]
ResidenceWichita, Kansas

Early life and background

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b "Kansas Legislators, Past and Present - McCray, Billy". kslib.info. State Library of Kansas. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Jackson, Frances (April 21, 2022). "Interview of Melody McCray-Miller". ksoralhistory.org. Kansas Oral History Project. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Loomis, Burdett (March 30, 2015). "Interview of Fred Kerr". ksoralhistory.org. Kansas Oral History Project. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  4. ^ Tanner, Becca (2012-06-04). "Longtime Wichita politician Billy Q. McCray remembered as 'advocate for the community'". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2024-08-23.