Billy Ray White

Billy Ray White (June 29, 1936 – January 26, 2018) was an American politician who served as the first African-American mayor of Menlo Park, California.

White was born on June 29, 1936, in Shelby County, Texas, the son of to Amanda (née Mattlock) and Q.W. White.^[1] He attended Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, for two years.^[1] In 1965, he moved to Menlo Park, California^[2] living in the mostly Black, Belle Haven neighborhood.^[3][4] Menlo Park at the time had a minority although declining Black population (17.4% in 1970, 14.2% in 1980, and 12.0% in 1990).^[5] In 1970, he was named as a commissioner on the Menlo Park Planning Commission.^[3] In the April 11, 1972, election, he ran for a four-year term^[6] on the Menlo Park City Council, losing by 27 votes^[1] to incumbent Douglas Dupen.^[7] He lost again in the March 5, 1974, election for City Council^[1][8] in a five-way race for three open seats finishing fifth with 2,203 votes against Ira Bonde (3,610 votes), Jennifer Bigelow (2,924 votes), James Calloway (2,919 votes), and George Liddle (2,844 votes) - which also marked the election of the city's first councilwoman.^[9] In the March 7, 1978, election, he ran again for the City Council in an eight-way race for three seats.^[10] In an upset victory, with strong support from the Black community, he won election finishing a close third with 2,332 votes, becoming the Menlo Park's first African-American councilmember (Gerry B. Andeen finished first with 2,670 votes and Douglas Dupen finished second with 2,398 votes).^[10] In March 1979, he was named in a secret ballot as mayor pro tem with outgoing mayor James Bloch's nomination.^[11] In April 1980, he was appointed mayor by the City Council, the first African-American to hold the office in Menlo Park^[1][12] since its incorporation in 1927,^[13] succeeding Douglas Dupen.^[14] In November 1982, he won re-election to the City Council^[15] and was named mayor again by the council in December 1983.^[12][16] In December 1985, he was again appointed mayor,^[12] the first mayor to serve for three terms.^[13] In November 1986, he won election to another 4-year term on the City Council. During his government service, he was critical in giving the Black community a voice, securing projects to upgrade and maintain street lights, storm drains, and sidewalks in the segregated Belle Haven neighborhood as well as obtaining redevelopment funds for low-income housing.^[12]

In 1955, he married Zerlene Victor; they had six children.^[1][17] He died on January 26, 2018.^[12]