MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Frazier, Barnett, Jordan, Butler (38th), Hopson, Horhn, McLendon, Thomas, Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI MAYOR, POLITICIAN, DELTA BLUES PROMOTER, ENTREPRENEUR, ATTORNEY, PILOT, NATIONAL GUARD OFFICER, DEVELOPER, PRESERVATIONIST, ACTOR, FILM PRODUCER AND RESTAURANT AND NIGHTCLUB IMPRESARIO WILLIAM O. "BILL" LUCKETT, JR., OF CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that we note the passing of William O. "Bill" Luckett, Jr., of Clarksdale, Mississippi, on October 28, 2021. Bill Luckett was an attorney, small-town mayor, candidate for governor, blues promoter, friend and business partner of Morgan Freeman, and an irrepressible teller of tales about the people and culture of his beloved Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, William O. "Bill" Luckett Jr., was a man with an extensive and surprising list of gifts and talents. Entrepreneur, attorney, pilot, Mississippi National Guard Officer, developer, preservationist, actor, film producer, restaurant and nightclub impresario and politician, and that is a truly pared down list of Luckett's accomplished life and work; and
WHEREAS, Luckett was a University of Virginia graduate who earned a law degree at Ole Miss. He served a decade in the Mississippi National Guard. He also served as the 2005 Honorary Co-chair for the Mississippi Heritage Trust. He has served on the Executive Council of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association, the Clarksdale-Coahoma County Planning Commission, and the Clarksdale-Coahoma County Airport Board; and
WHEREAS, after a failed gubernatorial bid in 2011, Luckett was elected Mayor of Clarksdale in 2013 and served his hometown with distinction in that office. This reflected his deep love for his city and county and the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, at his request, Luckett's family held a celebration of his life with free music and entertainment at Ground Zero Blues Club, the joint that he, along with Academy Award-winning Actor Morgan Freeman and others had owned for two decades in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The club's name refers to the birthplace of the blues. "Dad loved Clarksdale, its music and its people with all of his heart," said his son, Oliver Luckett. He also noted: "In true Bill Luckett style, one of his final requests was to forgo a funeral and instead invite the community and anyone that wants to come to Clarksdale for some great music at Ground Zero Blues Club, on the house"; and
WHEREAS, Luckett leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 37 years, Francine; son, Oliver Luckett; daughter, Whitney Luckett; stepson, Park Dodge; and stepdaughter, Douglas Dunavant; and
WHEREAS, Bill Luckett loved his family and friends. He loved Clarksdale. He loved Mississippi. Bill loved life, and he made life matter. He made it fun; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi who had enormous civic and business energy and who will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known his special wisdom and wit:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature to the surviving family of former Mississippi mayor, politician, delta blues promoter, entrepreneur, attorney, pilot, National Guard Officer, developer, preservationist, actor, film producer and restaurant and nightclub impresario William O. "Bill" Luckett, Jr., of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Bill Luckett, the Mayor and City Council of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and to Actor Morgan Freeman, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.