Bill Abernethy of Water Valley, MS passed away July 15, 2007 at the Yalobusha General Hospital. He was born in Algoma, MS 95 years ago to Edward G. and Mellie Abernethy. Bill was married to Opal Marie Nail Abernethy for 58 years when she passed July 1, 1998. He attended Missisippi State College in Starkville, MS where he earned his teaching certification. Bill was a member and a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Water Valley, MS. He was a member of the local VFW and Odd Fellows, served as a substutite rural mail carrier for 20 years, was a member of the Water Valley Board of Aldermen from 1957-1973 and he was on the Water Valley Housing Authority board for 17 1/2 years. He spent 9 years as Election Commissioner and previoulsy was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and Bill served his country in WW II with the United States Army.
Visitation will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. The interment will follow in St Peter's Cemetery in Oxford, MS with Baron Caulfield, Billy Michelletti, Tommy Hill, Steven Walker, John Graves and Ricky Hill serving as pallbearers. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the members of his Sunday School at First Baptist Church.
Mr. Abernethy is survived by his daughters; Mary Katherine (Dennis) Smith of Jonesboro, AR, Jane (Lester) Michelletti of Paris, MS, Rose (Gene) Walker of Water Valley, MS, Linda Abernethy and Nancy Abernethy both of Memphis, TN: his son, John W. (Suellen) Abernethy of Kingwood, TX: a sister, Lucille Abernethy Terry of Memphis, TN; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren,
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Billie Abernethy.