Starks Billy McGlory

Starks “Billy” McGlory was born in Fayette, Mississippi on August 14, 1951. He was the third of nine children and the middle son of A.V. and Geannetta McGlory. Billy and his five siblings moved with their parents to Chicago at the age of 7. Billy grew up in a close working-class family where he was taught to love God, family, and friends as well as the value of education and hard work. As a child, he and his siblings were taken to church every Sunday and encouraged to go to Bible Study during the week.

Billy graduated from both Brown Elementary School and McKinley Upper Grade Center. Billy attended both Crane and Austin High School. Billy also briefly took classes at Malcolm X College during the 1974-75 school year.

Given the nickname of “Billy” by his paternal grandfather, Starks McGlory, (his namesake) he later changed it to be known as “Dollar Bill” Due to his quest to have his own money, Billy decided to forego furthering his education and pursued a job. This desire began in his youth as Billy’s first job was delivering newspapers with his two brothers. Billy used his money to spend on clothes and having a good time, During his teenage and young adult years, Billy was the life of the party. He was an excellent dancer and stepper. Billy took pride in his appearance and loved to style his outfits with flair, often topping his outfit with coordinating hat and shoes

One of Billy’s first jobs was at Allied Radio which later became Radio Shack. He later worked at Zenith Electronics through most of the 1970s. During this time, Billy became father to his only son, Antoine Joseph. Due to the untimely death of Antoine’s mother, Billy became a single father. In August 1983, Billy married Vera Dixon and merged their families to become one. Vera had 3 children Cedric, Tiffany and Audrey (Nikki) before their marriage.

In 1990, Billy found himself at a crossroad in his life, which prompted him to accept his sister Doretha’s offer to leave Chicago and move to Atlanta, GA. He began working for Hilton hotels as a Floor Technician and Supervisor. He worked there for 10 years and then began working as a Truck Driver and Supervisor at National Management Company. While working at National Management, Billy received Employee of the Month Award six times. Billy also worked as a Utility Aide and Supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital at the same time that he was working at National Management. During this time, Billy was busy, starting his own business Cleaner Than Clean.

In 1995 Billy overcame his addictions, a personal victory that he maintained through the rest of his life. This was also the year his first grandchild was born.

After the death of his father in 2014, Billy returned home to Chicago in order to be there for his Mom and Aunt Ernestine. Even though Billy had retired, he worked for Service Master and continued his cleaning business in order to supplement his income.

He was an avid sports and news fan. He followed his former home Atlanta teams in football, basketball and baseball. Billy enjoyed watching the games -alongside his nephew Micholas. He would keep up with the worlds’ events via MSNBC, CNN and Chicago’s local news stations. Billy loved kids, giving treats and money to some of the littlest kids in the family. Billy also enjoyed betting on the lottery and his vice, sweets!

He is preceded in death by: His parents, A.V. and Geannetta McGlory; brother, Willie McGlory; son, Antoine Williams; and nephew, Marcell Johnson. He is survived by: His three children, Cedric, Tiffany and Audrey; three grandchildren, Antoine Jr. (Angela), Miche and Jaloni; six great grandchildren, Tayonna, Tayah, Antoine III, Amir, Aveah, and Mia; six sisters, Cellie French, Doretha McGlory, Lindetta McGlory, Barbara (Antonio) Sorrell, Denise McGlory and Regina (Clarence) Hendricks; one brother, Andrew (Carmita) McGlory; two aunts, Ernestine Vaughn of Chicago, IL and Martha Knight of Vicksburg, MS; seventeen nieces and nephews, ten great nieces and nephews, special bonus daughter Trichida “Treetop” Dixon, as well as extended family of cousins and close friends