Background
McKinney was born in Abbeville in Wilcox County, Georgia.
McKinney was born in Abbeville in Wilcox County, Georgia.
He attended the Atlanta Public Schools and Clark College, and was a decorated veteran of the United States Army.
Although McKinney served as a Democrat in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1983 until 2002, he also ran as an independent for Congress after that time. In 2008 he joined the Green Party and cast delegate votes for their Presidential nominee. McKinney was the father of former United States Representative from Georgia and Green party Presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney.
He was credited with integrating the Atlanta Police Department and spearheading the efforts of the Afro-American Police League.
A portion of Interstate 285 is known as the "James East. "Billy" McKinney Highway" between I-20 in northwest Atlanta and I-75 near Cumberland Mall. McKinney was known as a politician who did not shy away from controversy.
In 1981, he acted as co-chairman of the campaign of Sidney Marcus for Mayor of Atlanta. McKinney"s choice antagonized much of the African-American community in Atlanta.
Cockburn also wrote that "Buckets of sewage were poured over McKinney"s head in the Washington Post and the Atlanta Constitution".
Jews. Billy McKinney died on July 15, 2010 in his southwest Atlanta home after a long struggle with cancer at the age of 83. He was in hospice care.
With United States Army. United States Army Corporation Engineers, 1945-1946. Member Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Committee.
Married Leola Christian. Children: James E., Gregory, Cynthia Annual.