[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF WILLIAM F. McELROY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor William McElroy, Jr., 
a man who contributed greatly to Memphis, Tennessee's business and 
sports community. He was born in Memphis on May 19, 1929, to William 
and Kathryn McElroy. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1946 
and later attended the University of Tennessee and Memphis State 
University--after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served 46 
months with two tours in Korea. Mr. McElroy then returned to Memphis 
and worked as President in his family business, McElroy Insurance 
Agency.
  William McElroy, Jr. made many contributions to the Memphis sports 
community. In 1958, he was involved in the creation of the University 
of Memphis' Tigers Football booster club, the Highland Hundred, for 
which he served as President in 1963 and Chairman of the Board. In 
1963, he co-founded the Memphis Chapter of the National Football 
Foundation and College Hall of Fame which recognizes top area high 
school and college football scholar-athletes. Mr. McElroy was a 
recipient of the National Football Foundation's ``Distinguished 
American Award.''
  In the mid-1960s, Mr. McElroy was involved in the development of the 
Memphis Memorial Stadium which originally had a seating capacity of 
50,160. In 1965, he was the driving force behind convincing Bud Dudley 
to move the Liberty Bowl from Atlantic City, New Jersey to the new 
stadium which was preparing for its grand opening. Mr. McElroy served 
as President in 1970 of the Liberty Bowl Festival Association and 
Chairman of the Board in 1971. The Liberty Bowl was such a success for 
Memphis that the stadium was renamed Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 
1976.
  William McElroy, Jr. remained involved with the growth of the stadium 
for 30 years afterwards. Today, the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, now 
called the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Stadium, has a seating capacity of 
over 61,000 and is home to the University of Memphis Tigers football 
team, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the Southern Heritage Classic.
  Mr. McElroy's enthusiasm for sports also included baseball. He helped 
establish the Service Academy Spring Classic, a baseball tournament 
comprised of teams including the University of Memphis, the Air Force 
Academy, the Naval Academy and three other teams that changed yearly.
  William McElroy, Jr. was active in numerous local organizations 
throughout his life. He served over 50 years in the Kiwanis Club where 
he was named ``Kiwanian of the Year'' and later served as President. 
Mr. McElroy was on the Board of Directors and Gala Committee for the 
Marguerite Piazza Gala, the longest-running annual charity event of its 
kind in Memphis that raises money for St. Jude Children's Research 
Hospital. He was also active in the President's Circle at Christian 
Brothers University, the Grand Krewe of RaMet of Carnival Memphis, the 
Kroger LeBonheur Senior Challenge and Lindenwood Christian Church.
  William McElroy, Jr. passed away on May 16, 2010, at the age of 80. 
He is survived by his children Trip, Mary and Susan, all of whom worked 
at McElroy Insurance Agency with their father. Memphis mourns the loss 
of Mr. McElroy, Jr. who was a leader in the community continuously 
involved with its improvement and overall a really nice guy. Thank you, 
William McElroy, Jr., for coming our way.

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