Rev. Dr. William M. McCoy, Jr.: Ebonettes 2020 “Dare to Make a Difference” Honoree
DURHAM, NC – Reverend Doctor William M. McCoy, Jr. lives by Proverbs 3:5,6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thin own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.’ Having served as a chaplain in the prison system, ministered to youth in hospitals, and taught preschool children led to the Ebonettes Service Club honoring Reverend McCoy with the 2020 “Dare to Make a Difference” Award (virtually) in the Service to Community and Youth category.
Rev. McCoy would have been honored at The Ebonettes Service Club’s 48th Founders Day that was scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2020. The Covid 19 pandemic canceled the celebration. Since 2002, the Founders Day program annually has showcased hard-working Durham citizens in the “Dare to Make A Difference Recognition Program.”
The other outstanding 2020 “Dare to Make a Difference” Honorees are Kasib Abdullah, Juliet Black, Garisha Davis, Joseph K. Davis, Jr., Queen Lawrence, Angela Pittman, Gail Taylor, and Judge Doretta Walker.
About Reverend Doctor William M. McCoy, Jr.
Reverend Doctor William M. McCoy, Jr. was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-theology from Philadelphia College of Bible, now Cairns University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Reform Episcopal Seminary. Rev. McCoy was ordained through the Philadelphia Baptist Association of the American Baptist Convention.
While enrolled at Philadelphia College of Bible, Reverend McCoy served as a student assistant minister and taught in a “Get Set Program” for preschool children. Eventually, he realized that the Lord was leading him to serve as a chaplain and he pursued training in clinical pastoral education. Upon completion of the training, he served internships at hospitals ministering to young patients coping with drug addiction and patients living with long term illnesses.
In 1972, Reverend McCoy received endorsement by the American Baptist Convention to serve as a chaplain in prison ministry and he served as staff chaplain in the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Pennsylvania from 1972 to 1975. During his service there, he assisted the African American prisoners in establishing the first prison chapter of the NAACP. After his Pennsylvania assignment, he served in California, Illinois, and North Carolina. While in Butner, North Carolina, Reverend McCoy worked as a supervisor with a unique team of chaplains from the Catholic, Protestant, and Islamic Imam faiths.
Over the years, his ministry included counseling prisoners and their spouses, preaching at worship services, counseling staff, and performing marriages.
During his employment, Reverend McCoy was a recipient of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Sustained Superior Performance as chaplain and Chaplain of the Year awards. He retired from the prison system in 1993.
Reverend McCoy’s post chaplain ministry includes serving as pastor of Beavers Chapel Christian Church, Zebulon, NC; as a member of the Interdenominational Ministry of Durham and vicinity, NAACP and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; as an associate minister at Mount Vernon Baptist Church and as a teacher at the Apex School of Theology. He is also the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree.
He and his wife, Joan Nathalie-Sibert-McCoy have two sons, Michael III and Jonathan: two grandsons, Michael IV and Marquis as well as a niece-daughter, Meghan.