William C. (Billy) Croft, 99 years young, died March 10, 2018, in Carthage.
He was born on December 12, 1918, in Attala County to parents Williams C. Croft, Sr. and Bertha Hines Croft. He had resided in Walnut Grove for the past 56 years.
Early in his adult life, he began cutting timber and eventually established Croft Lumber Co. in Walnut Grove in 1961. He also raised cattle for a number of years, and he served the Town of Walnut Grove as alderman for 20 years. One of the highlights of his life was being named to the Hall of Fame by the Mississippi Municipal League. He loved his church, Walnut Grove Methodist Church, where he served for years as a trustee and was eventually named Trustee Emeritus. When he could no longer drive, he bought a scooter so that he could ride the four blocks to church on Sundays.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Sue Pee Croft in 1964 and his second wife, Lena Pearl Bryan Langston in 2011. Also preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Samuel M. Croft and his grandson, Todd Douglas. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann Sones and her husband, W. J. (Buddy) of Madison; grandchildren, Rhonda Douglas of Brandon and Christy S. Barnett, M. D. and her husband, Clay, of Hattiesburg; great-grandchildren, Micah, Noah, and Claire Thornton of Hattiesburg; great-great-grandchild, Katelynn Thomas of Brandon. In addition to a niece and nephew, Patty and Ken Croft of the Memphis area, he is also survived by a host of Pee and Bryan nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Claudette Pee Klaas and brother-in-law W. O. Ray.
Mr. Croft's desire was to live to be at least 100 years old. With sheer determination, he was able to live alone until two weeks ago. The family is most appreciative to all those who cared for him in recent years, Sta-Home and River Bend Services, and especially to Debra Hughes and April King.
Services are 1:00 pm. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the Wilcox Chapel with Rev. Dan Campbell and Rev. Hugh Smith officiating. Burial was in Parkway Cemetery in Kosciusko.
Pallbearers were Michael Jones, Henry Bryan, Charles Bryan, Joe Bryan, Dr. Steve Green and Mayor Brian Gomillion.
Memorials may be sent in his honor to Walnut Grove Methodist Church, P. O. Box 385, Walnut Grove, MS.
