Bill Luckett (businessman)

Last updated
Bill Luckett
Mayor of Clarksdale
In office
2013–2017
Personal details
Born
William O. Luckett Jr.

(1948-03-17)March 17, 1948
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
DiedOctober 28, 2021(2021-10-28) (aged 73)
Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party Democratic
SpouseFrancine Luckett
Children4
Education University of Virginia
University of Mississippi
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/service Mississippi National Guard

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 the 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]

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 Juris Doctor 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]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. 1 2 3 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.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ Associated Press (August 21, 2011). "DuPree, Luckett seek Democrat nomination for Mississippi governor". Al.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies". The Independent. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ Miller, David (August 21, 2011). "Bill Luckett: 'I love this state and want to make it better'". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. 1 2 3 Wagster Pettus, Emily (November 1, 2021). "Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ Wright, Aliyah (May 3, 2017). "Luckett and Espy go after each other again in Clarksdale". Mississippi Today. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ Associated Press (October 13, 2009). "Morgan Freeman campaigns for Bill Luckett in Mississippi governor race". Al.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Royer, David (October 29, 2021). "Reports: Former Clarksdale mayor Bill Luckett has died". WJTV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  12. ↑ Pipkin, Christopher (October 28, 2021). "Businessman, gubernatorial candidate and former mayor of Clarksdale Bill Luckett has died". WAPT. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ Powell, Akim (October 28, 2021). "Co-owner of Clarksdale's Ground Zero Blues Club and former Mississippi mayor dies". WLOX. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Freeman, Luckett out of restaurant business". WLBT. February 29, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 Wagster Pettus, Emily (July 27, 2011). "Governor Candidate Profile: Bill Luckett". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ Wagster Pettus, Emily (November 1, 2021). "Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies". Associated Press. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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