Willard Page Williams

Willard Page Williams, age 92, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2020, at his home in Courtland, MS.

Due to the current health concerns surrounding our community, the funeral services will be attended by the immediate family of Mr. Williams. The services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 8, 2020, at Independence Presbyterian Church with interment to follow at Antioch Cemetery in Courtland, MS.

Willard Williams was born on December 5, 1927 to the late Aubrey Crump Williams and Edith Smith Williams in Courtland, MS. Willard, known as “Paigey” to many, graduated from Pope High School. He attended Mississippi State University. Many stories were created during his short time there, including hitchhiking home for a long weekend with his friend and future brother-in-law. Willard worked for United Gas Pipeline/Entex, where he retired after 33 years. Willard met his wife, Bobbye Lou Burns, while attending Pope High School. They were married for 64 years. Willard and Bobbye raised two girls in a family grounded in faith and unconditional love. The foundation they paved had a profound effect on their children and grandchildren. Willard and Bobbye were truly part of the Greatest Generation and were viewed as “the best” in the eyes of their immediate family.

Willard was a devoted member of Independence Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon, elder, and trustee. In leading youth and young adult groups, he influenced many lives. He also taught Sunday school and was choir director for many decades. He served on various ministry committees in the St. Andrews Presbytery. Willard accepted the calling into lay ministry, where he dedicated his life for over 50 years at various churches, including New Hope Presbyterian, Pine Hill Presbyterian, and Wren Presbyterian. He was passionate about fellowship and loved his church family.

Willard touched the lives of everyone he met. When greeted by his warm smile and kindhearted nature, anyone would immediately know he was a man of God with a true affection for others. Many would say he was one of the sweetest people you would ever meet. Willard enjoyed meeting new people. In fact, he would lovingly, but unintentionally, embarrass his family in public to meet an unfamiliar face or to introduce a friend to his family. Going in to town to his favorite spots or to meet friends at Hardees, which he called his “coffee shop,” was a favorite pastime of his. On any given day, Willard could be found attending a birthday party, wedding, church function or funeral. When he was in the company of others, he was right at home. He was a southern gentleman who loved wearing cowboy hats and boots most of his days. Willard loved singing and dancing, especially the jitterbug. He had a strong affection for his 1949 Ford tractor. Just until late last year, Willard enjoyed repairing his beloved tractor and bush hogging his yard on late summer afternoons. He had a passion for horses and loved having them just a few steps above his house. Most of all, Willard adored his family and the Lord. He devoted his heart and his life to both. His gentle, loving, and patient nature placed him high above the rest in the eyes of his family. Willard Page Williams leaves behind one of the greatest legacies to all who knew him, and we are all better for having known him. He will be greatly missed, but his special memories will carry us through and last a lifetime.

Along with his parents, Mr. Williams is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bobbye Burns Williams, and sister, Ann Williams Pitcock of Pope, MS. He is survived by two daughters, Greta Raigins (Ronnie) of Prairie, MS; Willa Bohannon (Oakley) of Germantown, TN; five grandchildren who affectionately called him granddaddy, Jenny Franks of Albertville, AL, Paige Ellis (Bear) of Memphis, TN, John Raigins (Margaret) of Richmond, VA, Carlie Gupton (Michael) of Germantown, TN, and Brandon Bohannon of Germantown, TN; and six great grandchildren, Haylie Lacy, Raigin Franks, Julia Ellis, Rhett Raigins, Shelby Gupton, and Aubrey Raigins; and special loved one, Ella Rollins of Batesville, MS.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution may forward those to Independence Presbyterian Church or Antioch Cemetery Fund, c/o Stan Sullivant 861-A Sullivant Rd., Batesville, MS 38606.