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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2025
Wiley McCray
Wiley McCray was born November 1, 1916, in Vernon, Texas. McCray began his rodeo career at the age of 15 performing as a trick rider at the Anvil Park Rodeo in Canadian, Texas. In 1937, he won the bull riding competition at Anvil Park while also bullfighting, gaining the attention of stock contractors. In 1938, McCray began professionally as a rodeo clown and bullfighter gaining membership in the Cowboy Turtles Association.
McCray worked small and large rodeos for 46 years, covering the U.S., Canada and Mexico. McCray participated in over 140 different rodeos including the Calgary Stampede, Snake River Stampede, and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros for several notable stock contractors including Everett Colborn, Cotton Rosser, Cervi and Beutler, Elra and Jiggs Beutler, Bob Barnes and Leo Cremer. He was selected as a barrelman for the National Finals Rodeo in 1961 and 1972.
McCray was inducted into the Ak-Sar-Ben Western Hall of Fame in 1964 and named the World’s Greatest Rodeo Clown in 1950 and 1960. Wiley earned an RCA Gold Card in 1968, later becoming a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He appeared in the films “Rough Riding,” “Arena” and “Honkers.” McCray worked his final rodeo season terminally ill with cancer in 1977.
Wiley McCray was born November 1, 1916, in Vernon, Texas. McCray began his rodeo career at the age of 15 performing as a trick rider at the Anvil Park Rodeo in Canadian, Texas. In 1937, he won the bull riding competition at Anvil Park while also bullfighting, gaining the attention of stock contractors. In 1938, McCray began professionally as a rodeo clown and bullfighter gaining membership in the Cowboy Turtles Association.
McCray worked small and large rodeos for 46 years, covering the U.S., Canada and Mexico. McCray participated in over 140 different rodeos including the Calgary Stampede, Snake River Stampede, and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros for several notable stock contractors including Everett Colborn, Cotton Rosser, Cervi and Beutler, Elra and Jiggs Beutler, Bob Barnes and Leo Cremer. He was selected as a barrelman for the National Finals Rodeo in 1961 and 1972.
McCray was inducted into the Ak-Sar-Ben Western Hall of Fame in 1964 and named the World’s Greatest Rodeo Clown in 1950 and 1960. Wiley earned an RCA Gold Card in 1968, later becoming a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He appeared in the films “Rough Riding,” “Arena” and “Honkers.” McCray worked his final rodeo season terminally ill with cancer in 1977.
