William Henry "Bill" Jeffries

June 16, 1930 - August 20, 2016

William Henry “Bill” Jeffries, 86, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at his residence in Sturgis, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at Friendship Baptist Church with Rev. Junior Davis and Rev. Gene O’Brian officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service at Friendship Baptist Church from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in McClelland Cemetery on Craig Springs Road with military honors. Bill was born on June 16, 1930, to Dan and Polly Prisock Jeffries. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years before becoming inactive due to his failing health. After working at Howard Manufacturing in Starkville, Mississippi, for 20 years, he retired and later started his own trucking company. His hobbies included carpentry and he used those talents to build many items for his family and others. He also loved his motorcycle, which he very much enjoyed riding. During the Korean War, he answered the call of his country by serving in the United States Army. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Dezie Mae Jeffries of Sturgis, Mississippi. He is also survived by four daughters: Kathy Vaughn and husband, Van, of Cartersville, Georgia; Lisa Lee and husband, Wesley, of Mashulaville, Mississippi; Donna Niles and husband, Mike, of Easley, South Carolina; and Andi Merchant and husband, Bill, of Pickens, South Carolina; his son, Bill Jeffries, Jr. and wife, Teresa; and his sister, Maxine Oglesby and husband, Eddie B. all of Sturgis. One of his greatest joys in life was being “Daddy Bill” to his seven grandchildren: Jason Eaves (Daniella); Casey Gray (Maggie); Brandon Gray (Julianna); Wes Lee (Katie); Toby Conner (Chelsa); Matt Jeffries; and Ariel Langford. Also left to mourn the passing of “Daddy Bill” are five great-grandchildren: Kara Gray, Eli Conner, Gavin and Corbin Gray, and Savannah Lee. Mr. Jeffries was preceded in death by his parents; his four sisters, Mildred Kinard, Dixie Petty, Jewel McCool, and Ruby Shambrey; and by three brothers, Marvin, Carl and Bobby Gene Jeffries. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons Jason Eaves, Casey Gray, Brandon Gray, Wes Lee, Toby Conner, and Matt Jeffries. Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Jeffries may be given to Friendship Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Martha Lindsey, 6418 Craig Springs Road, Sturgis, MS 39769. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.