William Hughes, who broke racial boundaries in county government, dies at 90

By , Daily Memphian Published: May 17, 2022 2:34 PM CT

William “Bill” R. Hughes was one of the first Black Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies and the first African American superintendent of the Shelby County Penal Farm.

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William Hughes Bill Morris Shelby County Sheriff's Office Shelby County Government
Julia Baker

Julia Baker

Julia Baker covers criminal justice for The Daily Memphian. A lifelong Memphian, Julia graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.


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