Archie Walter Willis Jr.
Archie Walter Willis Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 16, 1925 Birmingham, Alabama |
| Died | 1988 (aged 62–63) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Archie Walter Willis Jr. (March 16, 1925 - 1988) was a lawyer, businessman, and state representative in Tennessee. He was the first African American elected to state office in Tennessee in more than 70 years.[1]
He was born in Birmingham, Alabama.[1] He moved to Memphis in 1953 and helped establish the city's first integrated law firm.[2] He represented James Meredith who was being blocked from attending the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi.[3]
Part of Auction Avenue in downtown Memphis is named in his honor.[2] The A. W. Willis Bridge is named for him.[1] He was married to the educator and activist Miriam DeCosta-Willis from 1972 until his death in 1988.[4]
See also
[edit]- African Americans in Tennessee
- African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Willis Jr., Archie Walter "A. W." Tennessee Encyclopedia".
- ^ a b "Archie Walter "A.W." Willis, Jr". www.wknofm.org. 14 May 2009.
- ^ "Ebony". Johnson Publishing Company. April 1965.
- ^ "Miriam DeCosta-Willis (1934-2021)". Memphis Public Libraries. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
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