GLORIA HARPER
Gloria Ballard Harper, 90, of Yazoo City, passed away September 26, 2012. Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 28, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she was a lifetime member.
Mrs. Harper was born August 18, 1922 in Hinds County. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James (Buck) Nierman Ballard. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and “Nannie” to her grandchildren, and friend to all who knew her. Gloria worked in retail in Yazoo City for more than 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Joseph Harper. Survivors include daughters, Jo B. George of Yazoo City and Glo Wright (Charles) of Greenwood; sons, Frank “Buck” Harper (Michelle) of Brandon and Ken Hill (Bonnie) of Santa Barbara, Cali.
She is also survived by six granddaughters, Shelly Merek, Sterling Milligan, Blair Mize, Varner, Jessica and Sarah Harper and seven great grandchildren and a special friend, Floyd Churchwell.
Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 2131, Memphis, TN 38101.

BILLY WILBURN
William Wyche “Billy” Wilburn, 90, died at home on Sept. 25, 2012 after a lengthy illness.  
Funeral Services were Thursday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Poole officiating. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.  
Mr. Wilburn was born in Aiken, South Carolina on March 27, 1922, son of Ruth Coleman Wilburn and William Wyche Wilburn.  His family returned to their original home in Yazoo City in 1928.  He  was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, George Mason Wilburn.
Billy graduated from Yazoo City High School where he participated in Band, Boxing, and Football.  He also attained the rank of Eagle Scout.  He was a graduate of Mississippi State University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Billy was a member of the Mississippi State Band and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
His college days were interrupted when he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps as a radioman in World War II.  While stationed in the Philippine Islands, Billy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He served one year of active duty.
After graduation Billy worked at the Mississippi Rating Bureau in Jackson.   Later he was employed by Mississippi Chemical Corporation in Yazoo City, MS.  He farmed his own Yazoo County land and was owner of Wilburn Realty Company.
Billy was a member of First United Methodist Church having been active on the Official Board, the Men’s Club, and the Disciple Sunday School Class.  He was a member of the Yazoo Historical Society and Veterans of  Foreign Wars.  A former member of the Yazoo Country Club, he was an avid golfer.
Survivors include the five women in his life.  JoAnn Turner Wilburn, wife of 59 years.  Daughters: Dr. Ruth Wilburn and husband Dr. Don Jackson of Olive Branch,  Stacy Wilburn West and husband Stan West of Martin, TN, Joanna Wilburn of Olive Branch and Sally Ross Wilburn Davis and husband Roger Davis of Ruleville.
Grandchildren include: Carter Wyche West (Lauren) of Memphis, TN, Katie West of Martin, TN, Kelli West of Martin, TN, Turner Davis of Ruleville and  Mason Davis of Ruleville.  Sisters in law:  Sally Turner Walker of Jackson and Stella Turner Melton of Yazoo City.
Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P O Box 444, Yazoo City, MS 39194.
Serving as pallbearers were  Don Jackson, Stan West, Carter Wyche West, Roger Davis, Turner Davis, Bill Walker.