William J. McCoy (Mississippi politician)

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William J. McCoy
60th Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office
January 6, 2004 – January 3, 2012
Preceded byTim Ford
Succeeded byPhilip Gunn
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
from the 3rd district
In office
January 1980 – January 3, 2012
Preceded by[1]
Ralph H. Doxey[1]
[1]
Succeeded byWilliam Tracy Arnold
Personal details
BornAugust 14, 1942
Booneville, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 2019(2019-11-12) (aged 77)
Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materNortheast Mississippi Community College
Mississippi State University

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.

Background[]

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 continues as a farmer.[2]

House of Representatives[]

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, now 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[]

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[]

References[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Representative William J. 'Billy' McCoy (MS)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  3. ^ "McCoy wins 2nd term as Miss. House speaker over GOP vote". The Natchez Democrat. Associated Press. January 9, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  4. ^ "Speaker McCoy won't seek re-election" Clarion-Ledger May 25, 2011
  5. ^ "Mississippi House of Representatives William J. McCoy". Mississippi House of Representatives. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  6. ^ "Billy J. McCoy, former Speaker of House, dies". djournal.com. Daily Journal. Retrieved 12 November 2019.


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