William Barbee

William Barbee

Grenada

William Arthur (Bill) Barbee, 65, of Grenada passed away peacefully at his home on January 22, 2013, surrounded by friends and family. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 23 from 5-7 pm at Garner Harper Funeral Home and 10 am at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Hwy 51 South. Services will be at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Thursday, January 24, at 11am, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, all in Grenada.

Bill was born on February 7, 1947, in Memphis, TN and grew up in Lula, MS. Bill graduated from Clarksdale Coahoma High School in 1965, and attended Mississippi State University before joining the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era in December of 1966. He was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Security Service (now known as the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency) at San Vito Air Force Base in Brindisi, Italy, which was the United States Air Force's cryptographic intelligence branch, where he monitored radio traffic and deciphered code. While serving in Italy, he also enjoyed being able to travel extensively in Europe. In December of 1970, Bill returned home to Lula, MS, where he farmed on his family farm while attending Delta State University. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education with honors in 1974, and his Master's of Education in History with honors in 1975. In 1976, Bill moved to Grenada to work with his uncle, Walter E. Barbee, at Graeber Brothers, Inc. where he served as Vice-President. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Deena, to whom he was married for 35 years. Graeber Brothers was later sold to Scott Petroleum in 2007, where Bill worked until his retirement in 2012.

Bill's interest in amateur (Ham) radio began prior to his enlisting in the Air Force. He earned his extra class license (WA5ZXG) and enjoyed communicating with people from all parts of the world, including King Hussein of Jordan. Bill also earned his private pilot's license in 1971, and in 1983, restored a 1946 Aeronca Champ, which earned him the "Fastest Looking Aeronca Award" and the cover of "Trade-A-Plane" magazine. He flew his Champ regularly until 2000, when he purchased a Honda Shadow Spirit motorcycle. He upgraded to his beloved Harley-Davidson Super Glide in 2005, which he enjoyed riding on the weekends and on his annual spring trip to Daytona Beach with his brothers. Bill's quick wit and kindness was known and loved by everyone who knew him. Everyone seems to have a story about Bill helping them in one way or another in daily life.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, and brother, whose life revolved around his family. Bill is preceded in death by his father, William Lester Barbee, and survived by his mother, Bobbie Mitchell Barbee. He is also survived by his devoted and loving wife, Deena; daughter, Jessica, and son-in-law, Danny Ruth, of Grenada; daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law, Grant Nooe, of Brandon; four grandsons, Danny Ruth and Nicolas Ruth of Grenada, Matthew Nooe and Aden Nooe of Brandon; a granddaughter, Kristen Nooe of Hattiesburg; sister, Martha Barbee Young (Mike) of Gulfport; brothers, Walter R. Barbee of Lula, Bob Barbee (Iwanna) of Madison, and Jim Barbee (Diane) of Madison; and his uncle Walter E. Barbee of Grenada. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Bill and Deena are charter members of Grace Baptist Church in Grenada.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given in loving memory of Bill Barbee to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1297, Grenada, MS 38901, or the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research Information, 1100 Peninsula Blvd., Hewlett, New York 11557.

Garner Harper Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.