William McCarty Deavours

William McCarty Deavours, 85, died Sunday, August 24, 2014. Bill was born June 10, 1929 in Laurel, MS to Elizabeth (McCarty) and Jack Deavours. After graduation from George S. Gardiner High School in Laurel, Bill attended undergraduate school at Trinity University and the University of Mississippi. He started Ole Miss School of Law, but after one year he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a pilot. Bill later returned to law school and married his college sweetheart, Peggy Neal, to whom he was married 53 years. While at Ole Miss, Bill was a member of several honorary organizations including Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Pi, Phi Delta Phi, and the Mississippi Law Journal. He was also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation he and Peggy moved to Laurel where he practiced law with Deavours and Hilbun, which later became Deavours, Weems and Gilchrist, until his retirement. He was a fellow of the Mississippi Bar Association and an active member of the American Bar Association. Bill was a loyal communicant of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he served numerous terms on the vestry as well as Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Treasurer. As an avid outdoorsman, Bill served on the Board of Directors of the National Skeet Association and held several positions with the state organization. He competed in numerous skeet tournaments, including 25 years in the World Skeet Championship. His enjoyment of the sport led him to coach local 4-H youth for many years. Bill had a life-long love of travel including family vacations, trips with Peggy, hunting trips with friends, and most recently extensive travel with friend and companion Jeannette Walker. In addition to his wife Peggy, who died in 2006, Bill is predeceased by both parents and his sister Lola Beth Alley. Survivors include three daughters and their families, Mary and Bubba Shirley of Madison, Marty and Alan Clark of Dothan, AL, and Margaret Deavours of Jackson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Adam and Megan Shirley of West Palm Beach, FL, Sarah Kathryn Shirley and Lee Shirley both of Madison; Boyd and Kristyn Clark, and Deavours Clark all of Dothan; Mary Neal Clark of Birmingham, AL. In addition he leaves three great-grandchildren, Mason Shirley, Rosemary Clark and McCarty Clark. Bill is also survived by a sister, Viola Powers of Cincinnati, OH, and companion, Jeannette Walker of Laurel. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28 at 11 in the St. John’s Episcopal Church chapel, followed by a memorial service in the church at 12. A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held in the Parish Hall after the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1766, Laurel, MS 39441 or the charity of your choice. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

William McCarty Deavours

June 10, 1929 - August 24, 2014