Wilmer Killebrew Paine

Wilmer Killebrew "Bill" Paine, 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 4, 2025. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Bill was born to the late Kenneth Ast Paine and Kathleen Killebrew Paine.

After graduating from Forest Hill High School in Jackson, Bill attended Virginia Military Institute and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Tech University where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. He served his country with honor and commendation as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1956.

From an early age, Bill exemplified the principles of service and leadership. Bill was an Eagle Scout with palms and was one of the first recipients in the nation to earn the Boy Scout God and Country Award. His dedication to the Boy Scouts continued throughout much of his life. In recognition of his exceptional character and service to the Boy Scouts of America, Bill was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, and the 1991 Andrew Jackson Council Class of Eagle Scouts was named in his honor.

Professionally, Bill was a respected leader in the supply and wholesale distribution industries for many decades. He served as President of Paine Supply Companies and Paine Refrigeration Company, building thriving and innovative organizations and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honor. His character and leadership were recognized industry-wide through his service on numerous professional boards, including as President of the Southern Wholesalers Association and as a Director of the American Supply Association, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, Northamerican Heating & Air-conditioning Wholesalers Association, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Wholesalers, and Magnolia Federal Bank. Bill was also active in the real estate industry and developed commercial and residential real estate as President of Paine Properties, Inc.

Throughout his life, Bill embodied the Scout Oath and Law and the Rotary International motto of "service above self." He was known for his generosity, his unwavering commitment to placing the interests of others before his own interests, and his constant encouragement of others. He was often heard saying, "Just keep marching." An unassuming man, he quietly went about doing good in every way he could. His values of work, duty, honor, and doing the right thing in the right way for the right reason commanded his every effort. Bill was a member of the VMI Marshall Order and one of his favorite quotes was from General George C. Marshall, VMI Class of 1901: "The most important factor of all is character, which involves integrity, unselfish and devoted purpose, a sturdiness of bearing when everything goes wrong and all are critical, and a willingness to sacrifice self in the interest of the common good."

Bill's values were manifest in his commitment to his community and to a new heaven and a new earth. He generously gave of his time, wisdom, resources, and many talents through service on the boards of Mississippi College, French Camp Academy, Belhaven University, The Young Men's Christian Association, Boy Scouts of America, Montreat College, the Jackson Symphony League, Baylor University, The Baddour Center, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi Baptist Seminary, Jackson Boys Club, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Goodwill Industries, and as a founder of The Mustard Seed in Jackson.

Bill's greatest joy was his family. Although Bill was not a demonstrative man, he was immeasurably proud of and fiercely loved his family. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, his commitment to his family was unwavering and his family was the greatest reward in his life.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Jacqueline Garrison Paine; his children Anna Elizabeth Paine Lindigrin Hancock of Gluckstadt, Mississippi, Wilmer Harrison Paine of Ethel, Mississippi, Kenneth Whitworth Paine and his wife Angela Dean Paine of Ackerman, Mississippi, and Robert Harvey Paine and his wife Elizabeth Bowden Paine of Oxford, Mississippi; stepchildren Frances Lynn Ferrill Vorlop and her husband Robert William Vorlop of Delray Beach, Florida, and Jan Meredith Ferrill Sorrell and her husband Samuel Scott Sorrell of Coppell, Texas; grandchildren Stephen William Vorlop and his wife Sara Lewis Vorlop of Richmond, Virginia, Michael David Vorlop and his wife Emily Weber Vorlop of Fairfax, Virginia, Kyle Andrew Vorlop of Richmond, Virgina, Samuel Scott Sorrell Jr. of Lewisville, Texas, Luke Paine Sorrell and his wife Nicole Flores Sorrell of Colleyville, Texas, Benjamin Mark Sorrell and his wife Mary Ellen Pipkin Sorrell of Dallas, Texas, Rachel Lindigrin Nichols and her husband Randal Garrett Nichols of Cypress, Texas, David Randall Lindigrin of Gluckstadt, Mississippi, Anna Marie Paine of Ackerman, Mississippi, Katherine Alexandra Paine of Oxford, Mississippi, and Beckett Winfield Paine of Oxford, Mississippi; great-grandchildren Clara Elizabeth Vorlop, Charles William Vorlop, Thomas Samuel Sorrell, Eleanor Grace Sorrell, Leigh Edith Sorrell, and Scarlett Frances Vorlop; his sister Ina Carolyn Paine Davis of Sewanee, Tennessee; niece Jennifer Davis Michael and her husband the Reverend James Christopher Pappas, III of Sewanee, Tennessee; and nephew Nathan Daniel Davis and his wife Sylvia Agata Mincewicz Davis of New York, New York. Bill was predeceased by his stepson Craig Otto Ferrill.

Bill Paine lived a life of extraordinary generosity, integrity, and service to others and to God. His legacy of encouragement of and unwavering commitment to others will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements with Lakewood Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi, are pending. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill's name to Gateway Rescue Mission, P. O. Box 3763, Jackson, MS 39207, or to a charity of your choice.