William Franklin "Bill" Edwards

Bill was born into this earthly life on February 1, 1949 to Jack Landrum and Grace Triplett Edwards of Carthage, Mississippi. He entered into eternal life on Saturday, June 8, at his home in Ridgeland, Mississippi surrounded by his family and close friends. Bill attended Carthage public schools and graduated with the Class of 1967 from Carthage High School. He went on to attend the University of Mississippi and graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1972. Bill practiced pharmacy for eleven years in Mississippi and Missouri before changing career paths to VALIC in the position of Senior Financial Advisor which he held for thirty- eight years. During that time, he made lifelong friendships with fellow advisors and valued clients.
Bill was proud to have retired as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserve.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law, Bill Johnston, of Carthage and his precious "Aunt Jane", Minnie Jane Burns of Madison.
He is survived by his gracious and loving wife of twenty-five years, Susan Robertson Edwards, one son, Jack Edwards (Michelle) of Madison, MS and one daughter, Jenny Kay Crawshaw (Brent) of Clinton, MS. He was also blessed with a bonus family which included Steve Therrell (Stacy) of Brandon, Chad Barber (Tonya) of Madison and Rebecca Tackett (Brad) of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
Bill's greatest pride and joy were his ten grandchildren: Mackie, Davis and Thomas Edwards, Lilly Grace Crawshaw, Chase and Jordan Therrell, Logan and Will Barber, Taylor and Harper Tackett.
He is also survived by his sister, Diane Johnston of Carthage, his nephews, Ty, Jason and Tip Johnston along with their families of Carthage and a very special cousin, Walter Burns (Celeste) of Sattler TX.
Bill was so proud to have received his Eagle Scout award in high school and awards too numerous to count during his career with VALIC but he was the most proud to serve his Jesus and longed for the day to see Him face to face. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Canton where he currently served as a deacon and chairman of the Personnel Committee. In years past he served as Chairman of Budget and Finance, Chairman of Deacons, and the recent Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee. He always gave God the credit and thanks to be able to serve.
He attended Methodist Cursillo #59 and continued to serve on staff many times with the Central Ms Walk to Emmaus.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bill's six grandsons. The Jerry Sumrall Sunday School class along with the active and inactive deacons of the First Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation for Bill will be Friday, June 14, from 5-7 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church of Canton. The service will be Saturday, June 15, at 11:00 am with a visitation prior to the service at 10:00.
Burial will follow at the Harris Cemetery, St. Matthew Street, Carthage, MS.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 377, Canton, MS 39046; Central MS Walk to Emmaus, c/o Martha Jo Kent, Treasurer, 671 Byrd Rd, NW, Roxie, MS 39661 or the Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd S., Jacksonville, FL 32224
Bill's service will be live streamed via the First Baptist Church of Canton Facebook page.