William "Bill" Burgess

Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at Saulters Moore Funeral Home for Mr. William Vardie “Bill” Burgess, Sr., age 83, of Prentiss, MS who passed away October 26, 2009 at his residence in Prentiss. Interment followed at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Laurel. Rev. Robert Cooper and Rev. L. C. Anthony officiated. Pall bearers were William “Buck” Burgess, Don Burgess, Wayne Hynum, Shannon Dunn, Cody Jones and James Snellgrove. Honorary pallbearers were Georgia Pacific Ferguson Retirees. Mr. William Vardie “Bill” Burgess, Sr. was born October 11, 1926 in Wayne County, Mississippi. He was the son of William Claude Burgess and Vermell Walley Burgess. Mr. Burgess began his career at Masonite Corp. in Laurel. He later worked for Georgia Pacific in Ferguson, MS as a Millwright and retired after 22 years. He helped establish Prentiss Christian School in Prentiss, MS and served on the Board of Directors there for several years. He enjoyed spending time with his family. His many hobbies included camping, traveling, horseback riding, motorcycles and farming. He was a member of Dublin Baptist Church. Mr. Burgess is survived by his wife of 63 years, Naomi Monk Burgess of Prentiss; two daughters, Gail (Wayne) Hynum of Prentiss and Donna (Shannon) Dunn of Prentiss; two sons, William “Buck” (Judy) Burgess of Vicksburg, MS and Don Burgess of Gulfport, MS; two brothers, Bud Burgess and John Burgess both of Buckatuna, MS; four sisters, Texine Smith of Laurel, MS, Peggy Snellgrove of Shubuta, MS, Azaline Bonner and Alene Rigney both of Waynesboro, MS; seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Virginia Faye Burgess and three sisters, Zeline Rainwater, Glendine Holloman and Mary Lynn Mayo.