William "Bill" Coleman

DREW - William "Bill" Marion Coleman, age 91, of Drew, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at his home.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 23, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Drew Baptist Church in Drew, MS. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be in the Drew Cemetery. Reverend Jay Richardson and Al Cummins will officiate the services.

Bill was born on September 22, 1926 to William and Ethel Coleman in the Whittney, MS Depot.

He graduated from Drew High School in 1944. Bill honorably served in the US navy, beginning at the age of 17, as a radar operator aboard the USS Salamaua C.V. A. during World War II. He was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese signed the Armistice. Upon his discharge, he attended Delta State College. He went to work on the family farm from 1948-1991. After he retired from farming he went to work for the USDA in the NASS division as an Agricultural Statistician. Bill taught Sunday School for 22 years--Junior boys. He served on the PCA Board for 10 years. Bill was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He also served as a deacon at Drew Baptist Church for many years. Bill was an avid collector of all things.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; William Elliott Coleman and Ethel Trainor Coleman; his first wife, Emry Jean Little Coleman; daughter, Emry Jennifer Coleman Cumbaa and daughter, Camille Coleman Whitecotton.

Bill is survived by Wife of 22 years, Betty Sue Avent McGregor Coleman of Drew, MS;  Son, William DeWitt Coleman of Manchaca, TX;  Step-son, Randy McGregor of Grenada, MS; Step-daughter, Melinda (Rocky) Carter of Rena Lara, MS;  Step-daughter, Sonya (Allen) Burchfield of Cleveland, MS; 6 grandchildren, William Lee Coleman, Jennifer Hart Sachs, Heather Sloan, Noel Marion Cumbaa, Elizabeth Hooper and Lanie Cumbaa Bridewell; 5 Great-Grandchildren; 8 Step-grandchildren; 9 Step-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be William Lee Coleman, Noel Marion Cumbaa, Andrew Owen Bridewell, Noel Dean Cumbaa, Frank Hooper and Bill Waldrup. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Drew Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Drew Baptist Church 139 S Church St. Drew, MS 38737 or to Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.

Cleveland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online guest register may be viewed and signed at www.clevelandfuneralhome.net.