William O. Luckett Jr.[1] (March 17, 1948[2] - October 28, 2021)[3] was an American politician, attorney and businessman.[4][5][6] He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Mississippi in 2011 and served as Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi from 2013 to 2017.[7][8][9][10] He was also a founder and board member of Pinetop Perkins Foundation.[11] From May 2001 till his death, Luckett also co-owned with business partner Morgan Freeman the Ground Zero Blues Club.[3][12] He also co-owned the Madidi Restaurant with Freeman from 2001 to 2012.[13][14] He was also a member of the NAACP.[1]
Bill Luckett | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Clarksdale | |
| In office 2013–2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William O. Luckett Jr. March 17, 1948 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 28, 2021 (aged 73) Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Francine Luckett |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Virginia University of Mississippi |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Mississippi National Guard |
Luckett was born in Fort Worth, Texas and grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi.[15] He had lived in Mississippi since he was six weeks old.[8] His father was a lawyer.[2] Luckett was also the great-nephew of Semmes Luckett, who in 1954 argued in favor of segregation against Thurgood Marshall in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas case.[1]
Luckett graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1966.[15] Luckett also graduated from the University of Virginia and earned a law degree at the University of Mississippi.[16] He graduated from the latter university in 1973.[17] He also served in the Mississippi National Guard from 1971 to 1979.[2][15]
Luckett was married to Francine Luckett from 1984 until his death and was the father of four children.[8]
Luckett died on October 28, 2021, one year after being diagnosed with cancer.[18]
References
edit- ^ a b c Salter, Sid (November 3, 2021). "Bill Luckett was a true Renaissance man with a strong desire to serve Mississippi". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Salter, Sid (November 3, 2021). "Luckett, known for business dealings with Morgan Freeman, just wanted to serve Mississippi". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b Szymanowska, Gabriela (October 29, 2021). "Bill Luckett, former Clarksdale mayor, blues club owner died Thursday. He was 73". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Associated Press (August 21, 2011). "DuPree, Luckett seek Democrat nomination for Mississippi governor". Al.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ "Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies". The Independent. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Miller, David (August 21, 2011). "Bill Luckett: 'I love this state and want to make it better'". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Andi (October 29, 2021). "Bill Luckett: "Renaissance Man", "A Visionary", "Big-hearted", and "Distinguished Southern Gentleman" passes away". Supertalk Mississippi. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wagster Pettus, Emily (November 1, 2021). "Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Wright, Aliyah (May 3, 2017). "Luckett and Espy go after each other again in Clarksdale". Mississippi Today. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Associated Press (October 13, 2009). "Morgan Freeman campaigns for Bill Luckett in Mississippi governor race". Al.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Royer, David (October 29, 2021). "Reports: Former Clarksdale mayor Bill Luckett has died". WJTV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Pipkin, Christopher (October 28, 2021). "Businessman, gubernatorial candidate and former mayor of Clarksdale Bill Luckett has died". WAPT. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Akim (October 28, 2021). "Co-owner of Clarksdale's Ground Zero Blues Club and former Mississippi mayor dies". WLOX. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ "Freeman, Luckett out of restaurant business". WLBT. February 29, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wagster Pettus, Emily (July 27, 2011). "Governor Candidate Profile: Bill Luckett". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Elkins, Ashley (January 14, 2009). "SID SALTER:Delta Democratic lawyer Bill Luckett assays 2012 governor's race". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Chaney, Kim (October 29, 2021). "Former Clarksdale, Mississippi Mayor & Ground Zero Blues Club co-owner Bill Luckett has died". WATN-TV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Wagster Pettus, Emily (November 1, 2021). "Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies". Associated Press. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
External links
edit- Bill Luckett at IMDb