[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF WILLIAM `BILL' MAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2015

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of a beloved member of the Indianapolis community, Bill Mays. Sadly he 
unexpectedly passed away on December 4, 2014, his 69th birthday. Bill 
was a businessman, a family man, a leader of the community, and a 
philanthropist. He built an economic dream in his business and used his 
fortune to help others. His dedication to the Hoosier community will 
forever be remembered.
  A lifelong Hoosier, Bill was born in Evansville on December 4, 1945. 
He graduated as the number one male academically from Evansville 
Central High School, where he was also a member of the football team. 
He later received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and a Master 
of Business Administration from Indiana University in Bloomington. He 
later went on to receive four Honorary Doctorates from universities and 
colleges in Indiana.
  In 1980, Bill launched Mays Chemical Company, Inc. and grew it into 
one of the largest chemical distribution companies in North America. 
During the first year of business he doubled his $1 million sales 
objective. From there his business grew exponentially and it is now 
ranked the 20th largest chemical distributor in the United States. He 
was regarded as one of the most successful businessmen in Indiana, not 
just because of Mays Chemical, but also because of other ventures he 
undertook. In addition to starting Mays Chemical, he also owned The 
Indianapolis Recorder. In 1990 Mays purchased The Recorder, saving the 
newspaper. His niece, and a dear friend of mine, Carolene Mays, became 
general manager of The Recorder in 1998. Under Bill and Carolene's 
leadership The Recorder grew in readership, prominence, and 
credibility. The Recorder is still in circulation today. Mays also was 
the former majority owner of the Hoosier Radio and Television 
Properties, which include WAV-TV53, HOT 96.3 FM, WGGR 106.7 FM and 
WIRE.
  His business savvy was impressive, but his dedication to the 
community set him apart. He served on a wide variety of for-profit and 
non-profit boards and held many chairmanships. His list of community 
service honors and awards is lengthy. Just to name a few, he received 
the National Society of Black Engineers Golden Torch Award (2003), 
Indiana University's Herman B. Wells Visionaries Award (2000); Wheeler 
Boys & Girls Club Man and Youth Award (1998); Madame C.J. Walker 
Lifetime Achievement Award (1998); was inducted into the Junior 
Achievement Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame (1998); and had the 
honor of carrying the Olympic flame during its trip through 
Indianapolis in 1996.
  Mays is survived by his wife, Dr. Rose Mays, retired Associate Dean 
of Community Affairs at Indiana University's School of Nursing, 
daughters Kristin Mays-Corbitt, President of Mays Chemical, and Heather 
Mays-Woods, an educator. Bill was a mentor and a leader of the business 
community, but most importantly he was a husband and father. On many 
occasions Mays had said that his true passion was his family. Please 
join me in thanking Bill's family and friends for sharing such a 
wonderful man with the Hoosier community.

                          ____________________