jun 1, 2001 - Benoyd M. “Butch” Ellison

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Benoyd M. “Butch” Ellison was born on April 20, 1939, in Kansas City, Kansas. As a youth, he played basketball at Northeast Junior High School and Sumner High School. He graduated from Sumner in 1957. Ellison was well known for his sharp jump shot, and in 1958, he was named All-American Basketball Player at Kansas City Kansas Community College. He went on to play varsity on the University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball team.

On July 9, 1960, Benoyd and Lee Ann Parks were married. Later, they became the parents of two children, Guy Anthony, and Stephanie Elise Ellison.

In 1962, Ellison earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Kansas. That same year, he began teaching at Dunbar Elementary School in USD 500. Ellison also taught at Northeast Junior High School before working in various public service positions in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1970, he received a Master of Science in Education.

From 1968 to 1971, Ellison served as Director of the Fairfax Job Opportunities Program and then Director of Model Cities Program. In 1972, he decided to return to the field of education, teaching at Washington High School. Ellison then transitioned to working in Administration as a Vice-Principal, serving at that same school for 13 years. He then relocated to Sumner Academy, working there for two years. He retired from USD 500 in 1999.

In 2001, Ellison entered politics. He was elected and served the Unified Government of Wyandotte County & Kansas City, Kansas Board of Commissioners for District 8 for 12 years, dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Wyandotte County citizens.

Ellison was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Neighborhood & Community Development Standing committee, Administration & Human Services Standing committee, and a Past member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

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