Indianapolis businessman William “Bill” Mays was remembered Friday as a philanthropist, visionary, community servant and champion of minorities who loved his family and a good laugh.
Mays died Thursday on his 69th birthday.
Often referred to as “Indiana’s most successful black businessman,” Mays was the owner and founder of Mays Chemical Co. He also was the former owner and publisher of The Recorder, a weekly newspaper serving Indianapolis’ black community.
Friends and acquaintances said Friday there was much more to Mays than the public persona.
“There was Bill Mays the civic leader, Bill Mays the entrepreneur and businessman, Bill Mays the behind-the-scenes political operative, Bill Mays the spiritual man, Bill Mays the family man, and Bill Mays who liked to have a good time,” said Eunice Trotter, the former owner and publisher of The Recorder, who sold the newspaper to Mays in 1990.
Tributes to the Evansville native poured in Friday from the governor, business and civic leaders and longtime family friends.
Amos Brown, host of the WTLC-AM “Afternoons with Amos” talk show, said Mays was the embodiment of a true Hoosier success story, someone who was born, raised and educated in Indiana and spent his life investing in local businesses and giving back to the community.
“Of the men and women who helped build and shape Indianapolis to what it is today, Bill Mays was one of those major players,” said Brown, who worked for Mays from 1994 to 2000. “He’s a guy people went to. He’s generous with his time, generous with his talents, generous with his dollars.”
Among his well-known investments are radio and television stations, such as WHHH, now Hot 96.3; WYJZ, now Radio Now 100.9; WBKS, now WTLC 106.7; and WAV-TV, now Telemundo, all of which he owned and operated with broadcasting legend Bill Shirk.
“He helped expand minority-owned media in the city,” Brown said. “Minority-owned radio stations reached 85 percent of the African-American community. No other media comes close.”
Brown said his former mentor was one of the community leaders who has had a significant impact on Indianapolis’ growth and development. Mays was the first African-American to be appointed chair of the Hoosier Lottery. He also was one of the key players in relocating the NCAA’s headquarters to Indianapolis.
Gov. Mike Pence called Mays a “pillar of true strength” in the community.
“From the success of his business to his unending generosity and invaluable leadership mentoring future generations, Bill touched the lives of countless Hoosiers and his contributions to the life of our state will be remembered always,” Pence said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his beloved family and friends during this difficult time.”
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard issued a statement saying “Indianapolis has lost a titan of industry and philanthropy.”
“Bill Mays was a great businessman, mentor, and leader in our community,” Ballard said. “My thoughts and prayers go to the Mays family and the many lives he touched.”
Among those touched by Mays’ generosity and wisdom was longtime friend and prominent Indianapolis attorney Lacy M. Johnson.
“Bill was a fantastic person,” Johnson said. “This community is going to miss the mountain of a human being.”
Johnson recalled meeting Mays about 40 years ago, and called him a role model for himself and a trailblazer who opened the door for many others — particularly minorities and women. Mays was the first African-American chairman of the board for the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce as well as the first black chairman of the annual campaign for the United Way of Central Indiana.
“He was always very supportive of everyone, and especially black males,” Johnson recalled. “Bill saw the need for a deeper understanding of what people of lesser means endure.”
Mays was looked up to by many and “always made sure that he led by example,” Johnson said.
“Bill is the one who introduced me to philanthropy in the broader sense.”
Johnson explained Mays taught him the importance and value of giving that goes far beyond a person’s sphere of interests and connections — often assisting people that he would never meet or get to know personally.
That included writing checks for large gifts, often with little or no public fanfare, to organizations and causes in which he believed.
“It was very important, he always said, that people step up to the table,” Johnson said. “Bill’s giving was endless, and he did it with a style and grace that was uniquely Bill’s.”
Johnson said Mays also was actively involved in politics, but preferred working in the background. He was a co-founder of Indiana’s first African-American political action committee. A Democrat, Mays “often reached across party lines,” Johnson said. That included supporting the Republican Mitch Daniels in his run for governor.
Mays also was a strong and generous supporter of individuals trying to launch businesses — even, Johnson said, when they may have not been the most prudent from a purely investment perspective.
“He invested in the idea, the person,” Johnson said. “He believed that people should have a chance.”
In 1980, Mays established his business empire, which has since become one of the world’s largest chemical distributors. According to a Black Enterprise magazine article published in 2011, Mays Chemical then ranked as the 22nd-largest black-owned industrial/service company in the nation.
Education was always important to Mays, who was born in Evansville in 1945. Johnson said his parents were educators. His widow, Dr. Rose Mays, is a retired associate dean of community affairs at Indiana University’s School of Nursing, and his brother also is a college professor.
Mays, who held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University, also has two daughters, Kristin Mays-Corbitt, who serves as president of Mays Chemical, and Heather Mays Woods, an educator.
“Bill gave generously to education,” Johnson said, including to his alma mater, Ivy Tech Community College and the United Negro College Fund.
“Above all,” Johnson said, “Bill was a big family man. Considering how much he gave to everyone else, he always had time for his family.”
Mays’ family, through a company spokeswoman, declined comment Friday, but is planning a news conference to address his life and death. Details were not available Friday afternoon.
Mays served on a wide variety of for-profit and non-profit boards and organizations, including Vectren Corp., First Indiana Corp., Anthem Inc., Bank One Indiana, Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, Indiana University Foundation and Indiana University President’s Council, and the National Urban League. He also was involved with the National Commission on Entrepreneurship, United Negro College Fund, and Coca-Cola Circle City Classic.
During his years living and working in Indianapolis, many in the community saw Mays as a friend and mentor, like Tony Mason, president of the Indianapolis Urban League.
“He paved the way for a number of African-American businessmen and women,” said Mason. “Mr. Mays was a great man. This is a loss for our community, our state.”
Tanya Bell, president and CEO of Indiana Black Expo, said in a statement that Mays has left “an indelible legacy of entrepreneurship, community service and advocacy.”
“Bill was an invaluable asset to Indiana Black Expo and the community of Indianapolis.”
Star reporters Kristine Guerra and Michael Anthony Adams contributed to this story.
Call Tim Evans at (317) 444-6204 and follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim.
William Mays
Bio: Born in Evansville, he built his business empire in Indianapolis and died Thursday at age 69.
Education: B.A. in chemistry and master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University
Business interests: Founder and owner of Mays Chemical Co.Formerly owned The Recorder newspaper and held interests in numerous businesses, including radio stations, nightclubs and a boat dealership
Board memberships: Served on a wide variety of for-profit and non-profit boards and organizations, including: Vectren Corporation; First Indiana Corporation; WellPoint, Inc.; Anthem Insurance, Inc.; Bank One, Indiana; Indiana State Chamber of Commerce; Indiana University Foundation and Indiana University President’s Council; Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; National Minority Supplier Development Council; National Urban League and United Way of Central Indiana.
Other activities: Mays also was involved with the National Commission on Entrepreneurship; United Negro College Fund; the National Alumni Giving Drive for the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management; and Coca-Cola Circle City Classic.
Sources: Star files, blackentrepreneurprofile.com
