Obituary- Archon William G Mays
Successful businessman, passionate community leader and consummate mentor, Archon William G. Mays, passed away on December 4, 2014. Archon Mays, of Alpha Eta Boulé, Indianapolis, Indiana, was called home on his 69th birthday.
Archon Mays, a native of Evansville, Indiana, was born on December 4, 1945, the youngest of three sons born to Joy J. Mays and Theodore C. Mays, Sr. His father, a chemistry college professor, promoted his interest in the field, leading to his attending Indiana University (IU), where he earned a B.A. degree in Chemistry in 1970 and an MBA in Marketing and Finance in 1973 During his time at IU, Archon Mays was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where, most notable among his many accomplishments in the fraternity, he was awarded the Laurel Wreath, the fraternity's highest honor awarded to one of its members. During his life Archon Mays received four Honorary Doctorates.
Following his academic career, Archon Mays entered the business world, beginning what was to become a long, distinguished and highly successful career. After working for a series of companies such as Procter & Gamble and Cummins Engine Co., in 1980 Archon Mays ventured out on his own to form Mays Chemical Co. In its formative years, Mays Chemical was a one-man operation and he processed all the orders himself. Thirty-four years later, the chemical distribution company is a worldwide leader with sales that surpassed $200 million last year. In addition to its many accolades, the company has ranked in the top 20 on Black Enterprise magazine's most successful black-owned companies roster since 1995.
A serial entrepreneur, Mays ventured outside of Mays Chemical to form and invest in dozens of other companies and industries. He held interests in property management and leasing companies, several golf courses, construction businesses, a boat company and several media companies, including the historic Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, the country's fourth-oldest Black publication. Archon Mays was a staunch businessman who was widely known throughout the state as Indiana's most successful Black entrepreneur.
His entrepreneurial spirit was infectious and he was generous in sharing his wisdom. Indeed he was widely known as "the man" to go to if you were seeking to start a business and in need of mentorship, guidance, or even financial support. Archon Mays was an avid supporter to aspiring entrepreneurs, as he helped to launch more than 100 companies with his time or treasure.
In addition, Mays along with his Archousa Rose, have been tremendous philanthropists, by not only donating to various community organizations, but also educational entities that help to prepare future generations. In fact, for many, Archon Mays' was known perhaps even more for his civic involvement, as he was his business accomplishments. He served on and/or led a variety of nonprofit, as well as for profit boards such as Evansville-based Vectren, WellPoint, the United Way of Central Indiana, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana University Foundation/ Circle City Classic and Center for Leadership Development. Nationally, he was on the boards of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and the National Urban League, just to name a few. Not surprisingly, his list of personal honors and awards is endless. He was initiated into Alpha Eta Boulé in 1985 and at his passing, was a Russell Fellow.
Archon Mays leaves a tremendous legacy throughout Indiana and the world.
He is survived by his Archousa, Dr. Rose Mays; daughters, Heather Mays-Wood (Kevin) and Kristin Mays-Corbitt (David); four grandchildren; brother, Robert Mays (Martharee) of Evansville; and a host of other relatives and close friends.