William Evans "Bill" Doughty Sr.

1944 - 2025

William Evans Doughty entered his eternal home on Monday, January 7, 2025, at Sunshine Health Care in Pontotoc after an extended illness.

William Evans Doughty was born in Starkville on March 21, 1944 to Orus and Mae Doughty. Shortly after they moved to West Point and the family was raised there.

Bill attended West Point Schools where he earned the nickname "Lightning" for his "speed" on the football field. He then attended Mississippi State University. A true Bulldog, that remembered games for over 50 years, including the outcome and game stats and where he made every play while sitting in the stands. Tailgating on football Saturdays with the "North Endzone Tailgate Crew" and especially his cohorts Kenny and Flo Strawn were his favorite times. Family and friends were a highlight of his days.

He was a founding member of Old Waverly Golf Course where he lived for many years and was an avid tennis player. Bill was also an accomplished pilot and avid outdoorsman, and was passionate about passing on his love of flying as well as the great outdoors down to his children and grandchildren. He is fondly remembered for his quick wit and perfectly timed and disarming humor, which he displayed with confidence until the very end!

He was a General Contractor and developed and built residential, commercial, and multi-family apartment complexes all over Northeast Mississippi.

He met and married his best friend and soul mate Reta Strawn Doughty. They share five beautiful children- Shannon Bacot, Billy Doughty, Jennifer McDonald, Nat Grubbs (Betsy) and Betsy Bryant (Steve), and 15 grandchildren Cole Bacot (Cassie), Sarah Holland Bacot, Sam McDonald (Madison), Eli McDonald, Will Doughty, JT Doughty, Parker Doughty, Gabbi Grubbs, Brother Grubbs, Hank Berthelot, Ree Berthelot, Hayes Berthelot, Joy Lynn Bacot, Sarah Grace Bacot and Holland Hope Bacot.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a baby daughter Vicki, his brother, Julian Doughty. He is survived by two sisters Patsy Hardister and Brucie Lyon and one sister in law, Barbara Doughty.

Funeral services, will be 1 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors with Pastor Bryan Collier officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time Thursday at Pegues, Tupelo. Graveside services will follow at Salem Cemetery in Union County with Reverend Steve Bryant officiating.

Pallbearers are Bill's grandsons, Cole Bacot, Sam McDonald, Eli McDonald , Hank Berthelot, Brother Grubbs, Will Doughty, JT Doughty and Parker Doughty. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Hall, Kenny Strawn, Randy Beane , John Moll, Lawrence Perkins , Gus Jones, Jacky Blackburn, Steve McKinney, Joe Trulove, and Joe Estess.

The family would like to express our thanks to God's angels on earth at Sunshine and Home Care/Legacy Hospice.

Memorials can be made to The Orchard or a Hospice House of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.