William is currently in his sixteenth year – serving 2 life sentences and 2 twenty-year sentences at Georgia State Prison in Reidsville, Georgia. Due to William’s zeal and tenacious spirit for life, it’s evident that he was on his way to a successful career. In 1992, William would have graduated from Morehouse College with a Psychology Major and Criminal Justice Minor and would have been commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army through the ROTC Program. Instead, he began serving a life long sentence for a crime even the actual perpetrators of the crime say he did not commit.
Always striving to be his best, give his best and do his best William has a way of touching lives of others that is long remembered. He has a very unique ability of gaining respect of others and getting results through his persistence, integrity and hard work.
Even as a youth William had a desire to excel – having a paper route, cutting grass for the church and neighbors, bagging groceries at the local grocer and of course – working at McDonalds. With his mother as the primary support of he and his two siblings – William’s luxury was a hope that his needs would be met while utilizing some of the money he earned for a few of his wants. William was a very compassionate to those who appeared to need help. Often times he would give up his seat on the bus for an elderly person or to shovel their snow at no cost.
William graduated in 1984 from Roger Bacon – an all-male, private Catholic High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. There was a tuition to attend Roger Bacon -- so in addition to his mother working her full time job she also worked a part time job as well as William who worked after school jobs to afford him the opportunity of receiving the best education possible. In a letter – Father Bok, the Principal of Roger Bacon wrote this about William…
“My dealings with William were always pleasant. While at Roger Bacon William was a good citizen. He played football and wrote for the Penman Newspaper. I always found William to be willing to assist whenever asked. I always liked William. He was friendly and polite. I always believed that he had some serious goals that he wanted to accomplish. During his four years of high school he struggled against many adversities and seemed well on his way to lead a productive life. He was thrilled to have completed high school and was looking ahead for good things.”
“My dealings with William were always pleasant. While at Roger Bacon William was a good citizen. He played football and wrote for the Penman Newspaper. I always found William to be willing to assist whenever asked. I always liked William. He was friendly and polite. I always believed that he had some serious goals that he wanted to accomplish. During his four years of high school he struggled against many adversities and seemed well on his way to lead a productive life. He was thrilled to have completed high school and was looking ahead for good things.” Fr. James M. Bok, O.F.M.
Roger Bacon High School
1992
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William first attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. However having a burning desire to attend Morehouse College where many of this countries African American leaders attended; William, having been encouraged by his late Pastor Rev. James E. Milton; knew the only way he would realize his dreams to attend Morehouse College was to somehow obtain a scholarship. William was off and running. He became a Cadet with the ARMY ROTC program at Central State University and excelled like no other. Ranking 4 out of a platoon of 52 and the right to a 2-year academic scholarship – William’s platoon leader had these words to say about William on his Camp Challenge Cadet Evaluation…
“Cadet Mayo’s overall Camp Challenge performance was outstanding. During the leaders training meetings he took copious notes. His outstanding physical conditioning and mental toughness allowed him to function effectively during periods of intense fatigue and stress. As a Platoon Sergeant, he showed outstanding technical competence when he instructed a class on drill and ceremonies to his platoon. On the subject of personnel accountability, when questioned, he knew who was absent by name. At all formations he gave drill commands in a loud, clear and concise voice that could be heard and understood by his entire platoon. Before movement to the rifle range, he delegated the responsibility of inspecting the squads for uniformity to the squad leaders, which freed him to supervise the loading of the platoon’s equipment. During his time off, he usually could be found at the weight training room improving his physical condition. As a follower, he always maintained a high degree of motivation, which positively influenced his peers. CADET MAYO’S ACTIONS WERE OUTSTANDING AS A SQUAD LEADER AT BOLD CHALLENGE. His briefing was clear and straight-forward; once on site he established security and briefed the squad on their mission to the Gallant Lancer operation. Cadet Mayo has unlimited potential and has displayed outstanding leadership skills. He is a definite prospect for he advanced course program."
“Cadet Mayo’s overall Camp Challenge performance was outstanding. During the leaders training meetings he took copious notes. His outstanding physical conditioning and mental toughness allowed him to function effectively during periods of intense fatigue and stress. As a Platoon Sergeant, he showed outstanding technical competence when he instructed a class on drill and ceremonies to his platoon. On the subject of personnel accountability, when questioned, he knew who was absent by name. At all formations he gave drill commands in a loud, clear and concise voice that could be heard and understood by his entire platoon. Before movement to the rifle range, he delegated the responsibility of inspecting the squads for uniformity to the squad leaders, which freed him to supervise the loading of the platoon’s equipment. During his time off, he usually could be found at the weight training room improving his physical condition. As a follower, he always maintained a high degree of motivation, which positively influenced his peers. CADET MAYO’S ACTIONS WERE OUTSTANDING AS A SQUAD LEADER AT BOLD CHALLENGE. His briefing was clear and straight-forward; once on site he established security and briefed the squad on their mission to the Gallant Lancer operation. Cadet Mayo has unlimited potential and has displayed outstanding leadership skills. He is a definite prospect for he advanced course program."Jose L. Garza, Tactical
NCOSamuel Manto, Tactical Officer
1987
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William finally realized his dream when he began attending Morehouse College on a 2-year scholarship in 1988. He became involved in the on-campus, mentoring program after being introduced to the idea of mentoring by the late Ennis Cosby, son of Mr. Bill Cosby. While at Morehouse, William had to continue to work to help pay his way through school. William has not once wavered in his desire to greatly excel in his life from his childhood to this present day. Where ever he has been, he has touched lives and made a difference.
"William Mayo exhibited many admirable attributes and abilities while a student in my class. William was determined, diligent and serious minded. These attributes enhanced his ability to perform well in my class while working his way through school. Additionally, William had a lot of initiative as well as an ability to think critically and creatively. William is naturally congenial, friendly, cooperative and respectful. William is genuinely interested in having a successful career."
"William Mayo exhibited many admirable attributes and abilities while a student in my class. William was determined, diligent and serious minded. These attributes enhanced his ability to perform well in my class while working his way through school. Additionally, William had a lot of initiative as well as an ability to think critically and creatively. William is naturally congenial, friendly, cooperative and respectful. William is genuinely interested in having a successful career."Parthenia Hilliard- Franks, Ph.D
Morehouse College – Dept. of English/Linguistics
1990
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“William was a volunteer with the Atlanta University Center Volunteer Task Force during his matriculation at Morehouse College. I knew William to be responsible and cordial to the youth we served in the surrounding community housing projects. Members of the chapter knew William to be reliable and an independent thinker. William is dedicated to working with our future and he knows that as a role model, every action would be watched by the children we served.”
“William was a volunteer with the Atlanta University Center Volunteer Task Force during his matriculation at Morehouse College. I knew William to be responsible and cordial to the youth we served in the surrounding community housing projects. Members of the chapter knew William to be reliable and an independent thinker. William is dedicated to working with our future and he knows that as a role model, every action would be watched by the children we served.”Mike F. Weaver,
Former Coordinator, AUCVTF
1992
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William has exhibited a love and caring for people his entire life. It's evident in the lives that he touches. Even while facing the most extreme situation of his life, William was still determined to make a difference in someone's life. Even after William had been arrested and charged with crimes that he did not committ, he was able to touch lives. After ereceiving a bond and returning to Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked and he continued to mentor. The following comments were written about William while mentoring in Cincinati:
“William Mayo is presently serving as a mentor to two of our fifth grade students at Douglass School. He has recently joined the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Mentoring Program serving as a mentor in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Mr. Mayo has demonstrated that he is a self-motivated individual who takes pride in any task he undertakes. He has shown that he is truly interested in the students that he is mentoring. We look forward to a lasting relationship with him as a mentor in our school.”
“William Mayo is presently serving as a mentor to two of our fifth grade students at Douglass School. He has recently joined the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Mentoring Program serving as a mentor in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Mr. Mayo has demonstrated that he is a self-motivated individual who takes pride in any task he undertakes. He has shown that he is truly interested in the students that he is mentoring. We look forward to a lasting relationship with him as a mentor in our school.”Gary W. Ammerman, Asst. Principal
Douglass Elementary School
CYC Mentoring Coordinator
February 10, 1992
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William’s tragedy has received the attention of some famous personalities such as Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and John Walsh. William appeared via satellite on the John Walsh Talk Show on September 25, 2002. After researching the case interviewing William, John Walsh stated the following….
“I know a criminal and William is not one. At the very least William Mayo deserves a new trial.”
“I know a criminal and William is not one. At the very least William Mayo deserves a new trial.”William is very grateful to all of the people who have supported him and believed in him over the years. He describes his nightmare as “almost getting to the end of the rainbow and having a thunderstorm slap you in the face”.
William’s continued dream is to finally walk across the Morehouse stage and receive his BA in Psychology. However only 3 credits shy of graduation, William is now required to complete his entire senior year again.
"Thank you for believing in me”
William J. Mayo
