Willie McCray, 1942-2006

By Larry Rubin

October 11, 2006

I'm heartbroken to tell you that Willie McCray succumbed to brain cancer early this morning at a hospital near his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

During SNCC's years of struggle in the South, he was always there when you needed him: bringing you supplies in the dead of night to avoid the police; driving you away from life-threatening situations--or into them when needed. He did what was necessary to make sure SNCC's work happened.

In many ways, McCray (nobody called him Willie) was Jim Forman's* get-it-done guy. He was the one who helped convince churches throughout the South to let us use their halls. He'd set up the room, make sure everybody was sufficiently fed, and see to it that the hall was left pristine so that the church group would let us use it again.

Most important, he'd make sure that Jim got to where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there--at least as much as this was possible.

McCray bubbled with enthusiasm, helping leaders recover their spirit so that they could continue to lead, and helping organizers overcome their fears so that they could help others overcome theirs.

McCray's enthusiasm for the Movement and Movement workers lasted his whole life. In recent years, at reunions throughout the South, he was the guy that most vigorously greeted and hugged everybody, making you feel that the Beloved Community was still alive after all.

McCray worked as the head of security at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, connected to Wilberforce College and Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Most people visiting the museum probably didn't know that he himself had played an important, historic role. But a few years ago, the museum held a ceremony to honor him and I was privileged to be a presenter. McCray insisted that the ceremony concentrate more on the accomplishments of the Movement as a whole rather than on any one individual.

McCray's wife, Helen---also a Civil Rights hero---says that his most recent days were peaceful and happy. He visited with friends, listened to his favorite music, and spent only his last few days in a hospital. He was 64.

Larry Rubin was one of the few full-time white SNCC organizers. First in SW Georgia (1962-63) and then in Mississippi (1963-65). Now he is the Communications Director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, an affiliate of the Union Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners---the carpenters' union.

[*James Forman was the Executive Secretary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1961-66. See also Charles Cobb, Jr.'s tribute to Forman. ---BG]