William J. McCoy (August 14, 1942 – November 12, 2019) was an American farmer and Democratic politician from Rienzi, Mississippi. He was the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi.
William J. McCoy | |
|---|---|
 McCoy in 2011 | |
| 60th Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives | |
| In office January 6, 2004 – January 3, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Ford |
| Succeeded by | Philip Gunn |
| Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 1980 – January 3, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Don Chambliss[1] Ralph H. Doxey[1] Gene Manning[1] |
| Succeeded by | William Tracy Arnold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 14, 1942 Booneville, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | November 12, 2019 (aged 77) Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Northeast Mississippi Community College Mississippi State University |
Background edit
McCoy was born August 14, 1942, in Booneville, attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College, and graduated from Mississippi State University. He has worked as a vocational agriculture teacher and as a loan officer for the Farmers Home Administration, as well as a school auditor for the Mississippi State Department of Audit. He also farmed.[2]
House of Representatives edit
McCoy became a member of the House in 1980, and was elected Speaker in 2004. In 2008, he faced (and beat) a challenge by conservative fellow Democrat, later Republican Jeff Smith of Columbus, who was supported by the Republicans in the House and by Republican governor Haley Barbour.[3]
On May 25, 2011, McCoy announced that he would not seek re-election to the State House.[4]
Personal life edit
McCoy married Edith Leatherwood. He was a Baptist, Freemason, and a member of the Farm Bureau.[2] He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northeast Mississippi Community College.[5] He died on November 12, 2019, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was 77 years old.[6]
Sources edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Mississippi. Legislature (1976-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1976]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books.
- ^ a b "Representative William J. 'Billy' McCoy (MS)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "McCoy wins 2nd term as Miss. House speaker over GOP vote". The Natchez Democrat. Associated Press. January 9, 2008. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Speaker McCoy won't seek re-election" Clarion-Ledger May 25, 2011
- ^ "Mississippi House of Representatives William J. McCoy". Mississippi House of Representatives. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ Vance, Taylor (November 12, 2019). "Billy J. McCoy, former Speaker of House, dies". Daily Journal. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
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