“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of former legislator and Chairperson of the Albany County Legislative Black Caucus William M. Clay. William, known by his friends and colleagues as Bill, began his career in law enforcement as a Capital Police Officer. He would later go on to become the first African-American captain in the force. In 1964, he served as assistant commissioner of the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and the Community Relations Office at the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). In 2003 he would fill a vacancy position in the Albany County Legislature for six months before being elected in 2004. Bill was also a proud member of the NYS Security Guard Advisory Council, Associated Licensed Detectives of NYS, Inc., NAACP Albany Branch, Vice President of 100 Black Men, Inc. of the Capital Region, and the Albany County Industrial Development Agency. He was a dedicated public servant who spent his life working to protect and uplift our community. During his tenure of over 50 years of public service, Bill left a lasting impact on the lives of so many across Albany County. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family. We will never forget his contributions to Albany County.”