Civil Rights Icon William ‘Invoice’ Clay Sr. Dies at 94

[ad_1] by Jeroslyn JoVonn July 18, 2025

Civil rights trailblazer and Congressional Black Caucus co-founder Invoice Clay Sr. leaves behind a robust legacy of advocacy.

William “Invoice” Clay Sr., founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Missouri’s first Black congressman, died on the morning of July 17 on the age of 94.

Clay Sr., who resided in Silver Spring, Maryland, handed away at his daughter’s dwelling in Virginia, STL At this time stories. He's survived by his son, William Lacy Clay Jr., who adopted in his political footsteps; daughters Vicki and Michelle Clay; 5 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and an enduring legacy of groundbreaking civil rights advocacy.

As Missouri’s first Black congressman, Clay served over three a long time in Congress and earned a status for his unapologetic struggle for social justice. A vocal chief in St. Louis avenue demonstrations difficult the town’s energy construction and a fierce opponent of employment segregation, he co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and have become a political powerhouse in Missouri, the place his help might make or break a mayoral candidate.

“You can not speak in regards to the historical past of St. Louis politics with out beginning with Invoice Clay Sr.,” U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell advised KSDK. “Once we discuss standing on the shoulders of giants, I understand that I'm, he’s that enormous.”

Clay’s civil rights activism started in 1953 when, at simply 22, he was drafted into the Military. Whereas stationed in Alabama, he organized demonstrations to protest the racial discrimination confronted by him and different Black troopers.

After returning to St. Louis, Clay continued his struggle for justice alongside a rising political profession, changing into an alderman in 1959. He went on to assist lead the pivotal 1963 Jefferson Financial institution Protests, which demanded that the banks rent extra Black staff. The demonstrations turned one of many defining moments of the trendy civil rights period. Clay was amongst greater than 500 individuals arrested through the nonviolent protests, finally serving almost 4 months in jail for his function.

A outstanding determine within the labor motion, Clay championed the 1993 Household and Medical Depart Act, which mandates that firms with 50 or extra staff present as much as 12 weeks of unpaid go away for brand spanking new mother and father or members of the family within the occasion of a medical emergency. He was instrumental in elevating the minimal wage, pushed for Congress to ban the everlasting alternative of placing staff (although unsuccessfully), and secured elevated funding for traditionally Black schools and universities.

“I characterize those that are in want of illustration,” he as soon as stated. “I've no intention of representing these highly effective pursuits who stroll over the powerless individuals.”

After Clay’s retirement, his son William Lacy Clay Jr. was elected to succeed him, making them solely the second Black father-son duo to ever serve in Congress. The Clay household held the seat till 2021, when activist Cori Bush defeated Lacy Clay Jr. within the Democratic major and later received the overall election, changing into Missouri’s first Black lady in Congress.

The district is now represented by Wesley Bell, who shared that he lately spoke with Lacy Jr., noting how deeply he’s grieving, particularly as his father’s passing comes simply months after his mom’s demise.

“Firstly, I wanna ship my prayers out to his household, Lacy, and his complete household. Mr. Clay misplaced his spouse, Lacy Clay’s mom, earlier this 12 months. I did a ground speech honoring her only a few months in the past, and so it’s all the time powerful, and our prayers are with them,” Bell stated. “We wish to give them house and charm to mourn and grieve, and as I advised him, something that he wants or they want, don’t hesitate to ask. We're right here for them, and I converse for your entire area in that regard.”