Willie Thomas Segrest III

Willie Thomas Segrest, III Willie Thomas Segrest, III “Tommy”, 77, of Laurel passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife Deborah Anne Parker Segrest of 47 years; his father, Willie Thomas Segrest II; mother, Doris Flood Segrest; and sister, Linita Segrest Wright. He is survived by his son, Willie Thomas Segrest IV “Tom” (Gina); daughter, Shelley Segrest Taylor (Truitt); and grandchildren, Ty Segrest (Tessa), Abby Segrest, William Taylor, Mary Segrest Taylor, and Parker Taylor. Tommy was a lifelong resident of Laurel, and a student of both Prentiss Elementary, and Maddox Junior High School. He went on to graduate high school from Chamberlain Hunt Military Academy in Port Gibson, MS. He attended The University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor’s of arts degree in history. He and his wife were long time members of West Laurel Baptist Church. He started his career at Masonite Corporation, where he met his wife, Debbie. Then, he continued his career in the sawmill industry where he worked for various lumber companies throughout the southeast. He eventually finished his career back in Laurel, working for both Sanderson Farms and Community Bank. In addition to raising his own children, he also served as the Phi Kappa Fraternity chapter father for many years, and through this service touched the lives of many teenagers in the community. To his family, Tommy was the hardest working man that they have ever known. A hero figure to his children, he taught them the value of a hard day’s work. He instilled a saying among his children that he would repeatedly tell them: “When life gets hard for everyone else, it gets just right for us.” He loved his children, but even more adored his grandchildren. He was a very proud “Big Daddy.” The family would also like to express their gratitude to Ms. Ann Dear for the care she provided to Tommy over the last several years of his life. Pallbearers will be Michael Casey, Will Casey, Benji Casey, Jason Henley, Christopher Yoder and Ty Segrest. A visitation will be held at Memory Chapel in Laurel on Thursday, June 12th, at 12:30 PM, with a graveside service and burial to follow at 2 PM at Lake Park Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be provided to The Dubard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.memorychapellaurel.com

Willie Thomas Segrest III

August 18, 1947 - June 8, 2025