Bill McCreary, one of New York’s first Black television journalists, died Thursday at the age of 87. The announcement was made by his former network Fox 5 New York. His widow O’Kellen McCreary told the New York Times he died as a result of a neurological disease.  

McCreary began his career in 1960 at a radio station in Queens before joining Fox 5 as the managing editor and anchor of “Black News.” He was then promoted to the co-anchor of the 10 pm news broadcast.  

His former co-host, John Roland, said, “The thing that really stands out in my mind about Bill, he never expected to be given anything. He always works hard for it. He was a man of integrity, a man of intelligence and very, very hard working.”  

McCreary is well known for interviewing influential people, including former President Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks on his show “The McCreary Report.”  

He was the recipient of two Emmys and an NAACP Black Heritage Award.  

Dorothy Tucker, the National Association of Black Journalists’ President, said McCreary “paved the path for more diversity during his career.”  

We are sending prayers to the family, friends and loved ones of Bill McCreary. He paved the path for more diversity during his career, and we are grateful for his legacy. ?️ https://t.co/EPwTliC0Jj pic.twitter.com/6s7kAPDxf5

— Dorothy Tucker NABJ (@Dorothy4NABJ) May 13, 2021

Fox 5 New York posted a tribute to McCreary with highlights from his career broadcasting to the citizens of New York.

“He was respected. People believed what he had to say and he worked hard to give you the information that you needed,” Good Day New York host Rosanna Scotto said.