William Marcus “Bill” Meeks, Sr., 89, of Yazoo City, Mississippi passed away at his home on January 16, 2022. He was born on July 31, 1932 in Greenwood, Mississippi to Robert Lee and Mildred Cole Meeks. Bill graduated from Marks High School in Marks, Mississippi in 1952, where he played football, basketball, and was voted “Best Dancer.” He also won local dance contests in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Bill married the love of his life, Dorothy Trainor of Marks, Mississippi in 1953. He served as staff sergeant in the Army from 1954-1956 and master sergeant in the National Guard for nine years. Bill worked for General Tire and Rubber Company in Memphis, Tennessee from 1953-1968. He then worked as PGA Professional at the Benton Country Club in Benton, MS from 1968-1983 and attended Pinehurst Golf Academy in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Bill worked for Simmons Catfish in Yazoo City, MS from 1983-2021 as the Western Regional Sales Manager. He enjoyed calling on customers and preparing meals for coworkers, as well as developing new ways to cook catfish and invented “Mr. Bill’s Catfish Chips.”
Bill was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Yazoo City, where he previously served as a deacon and was active in choir and Sunday School. He had a servant’s heart and loved to arrive early to make coffee for his Sunday School class. Bill was a caring, loving and generous man, who enjoyed doing for others. His motto was to “Love God and people.” He loved the Lord, his church, friends and family, especially his grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as “Pop.” Bill was an avid golf player for many years having made a hole in one eight times. He taught many people to play golf and was blessed to have close friends through golfing. Bill was a longtime member of the Yazoo Country Club and served as president several times. On Bill’s 89th birthday, the Men’s Ministry Team at First Baptist Church hosted the First Annual Bill Meeks Golf Scramble at the Yazoo Country Club, which will be continued annually in his honor. Bill was also a devoted Ole Miss fan.
Mr. Meeks is survived by his son, Dr. William Marcus “Mark” Meeks, Jr., (Molly); his daughters, Sherri Hill (Harry) and Jerri Strickland (Sammy) all of Madison; nine grandchildren, Fletcher Strickland, Will Strickland (Lucy), Hallye Meeks Lewis (Charlie), Lilly Meeks Klepzig (Wes), Hayden Strickland (Ashlyn), Sarah Meeks, Susanna Hill, Maggie Strickland and Nathan Hill; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother, Robert Meeks, Jr.(Janice) of Geneva, New York.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022 followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., both at First Baptist Church in Yazoo City. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City. Arrangements are being made by Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home, Flowood, MS. Pallbearers will be Fletcher Strickland, Will Strickland, Hayden Strickland, Nathan Hill, Tommy Coleman and Sonny Stubblefield. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Bill’s Sunday School class. The family requests that masks be worn at the service, which will also be livestreamed on the First Baptist Church website, www.fbcyazoo.org.
The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Adoration Home Health, and Linda Lofton with Assurance Care Sitting Service, who cared so lovingly for Bill during his last days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Yazoo City, P.O. Box 780, Yazoo City, MS 39194.
