Bill Luckett (businessman) explained

Bill Luckett
Office1:Mayor of Clarksdale
Term Start1:2013
Term End1:2017
Birth Name:William O. Luckett Jr.
Birth Date:17 March 1948
Birth Place:Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Death Place:Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Francine Luckett
Children:4
Education:University of Virginia
University of Mississippi
Allegiance:United States
Branch: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]

Notes and References

  1. Salter. Sid. Bill Luckett was a true Renaissance man with a strong desire to serve Mississippi. November 3, 2021. Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. November 16, 2024.
  2. Salter. Sid. Luckett, known for business dealings with Morgan Freeman, just wanted to serve Mississippi. November 3, 2021. The Clarion-Ledger. November 16, 2024.
  3. Szymanowska. Gabriela. Bill Luckett, former Clarksdale mayor, blues club owner died Thursday. He was 73. October 29, 2021. The Clarion-Ledger. November 16, 2024.
  4. Web site: Associated Press. DuPree, Luckett seek Democrat nomination for Mississippi governor. August 21, 2011. Al.com. November 16, 2024.
  5. Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies. November 1, 2021. The Independent. November 16, 2024.
  6. Miller. David. Bill Luckett: ‘I love this state and want to make it better’. August 21, 2011. The Commercial Dispatch. November 16, 2024.
  7. Web site: Davis. Andi. Bill Luckett: “Renaissance Man”, “A Visionary”, “Big-hearted”, and “Distinguished Southern Gentleman” passes away. October 29, 2021. Supertalk Mississippi. November 16, 2024.
  8. Wagster Pettus. Emily. Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies. November 1, 2021. The Frederick News-Post. November 16, 2024.
  9. Wright. Aliyah. Luckett and Espy go after each other again in Clarksdale. May 3, 2017. Mississippi Today. November 16, 2024.
  10. Web site: Associated Press. Morgan Freeman campaigns for Bill Luckett in Mississippi governor race. October 13, 2009. Al.com. November 16, 2024.
  11. Web site: Royer. David. Reports: Former Clarksdale mayor Bill Luckett has died. October 29, 2021. WJTV. November 16, 2024.
  12. Web site: Pipkin. Christopher. Businessman, gubernatorial candidate and former mayor of Clarksdale Bill Luckett has died. October 28, 2021. WAPT. November 16, 2024.
  13. Web site: Powell. Akim. Co-owner of Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club and former Mississippi mayor dies. October 28, 2021. WLOX. November 16, 2024.
  14. Web site: Freeman, Luckett out of restaurant business. February 29, 2012. WLBT. November 16, 2024.
  15. Wagster Pettus. Emily. Governor Candidate Profile: Bill Luckett. July 27, 2011. The Commercial Dispatch. November 16, 2024.
  16. Elkins. Ashley. SID SALTER:Delta Democratic lawyer Bill Luckett assays 2012 governor's race. January 14, 2009. Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. November 16, 2024.
  17. Web site: Chaney. Kim. Former Clarksdale, Mississippi Mayor & Ground Zero Blues Club co-owner Bill Luckett has died. October 29, 2021. WATN-TV. November 16, 2024.
  18. Web site: Wagster Pettus. Emily. Mississippi blues promoter and raconteur Bill Luckett dies. November 1, 2021. Associated Press. November 16, 2024.

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