Oct. 22, 1926 – June 20, 2014

FAYETTE — Funeral services for William Sidney Darsey Sr., 87, of Fayette, who died Friday, June 20, 2014, at Jefferson County Hospital in Fayette, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, at Fayette United Methodist Church with the Rev. Aaron Lamb officiating.

Burial will follow at the Fayette Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday until time of services at the church.

Mr. Darsey was born Oct. 22, 1926, in Natchez, the son of Vaughn Sidney Darsey and Eleanor Reed Darsey. He grew up in Fayette and was a student at Fayette High School, graduating in 1944. He was an athlete in football, basketball and baseball. His love for athletics promoted his interest in Little League, where he coached the Green Team. He was an active member of Fayette Methodist Church and Sunday school and served on the church board for many years.

Mr. Darsey was a veteran of the U. S. Navy, serving in Guam during World War II. He later graduated from Mississippi State University in accounting. Upon graduation, he joined Hirsch’s Store and Hardware as a bookkeeper. Upon Mr. Hirsch’s retirement, he later was owner of the stores and was a tree farmer for many years.

His love of athletics never waned and he took his sons and grandsons to many baseball games each summer.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Minnie Anne Allen Darsey; two sons, William Sidney Darsey Jr. and wife Melody of Natchez and Dr. Kent Allen Darsey and wife Sarah Neville of Meridian; three grandsons, Dr. Damon Allen Darsey and wife Mary Ann of Jackson, Reed Cochran Darsey and wife Rhae of Meridian and Dr. William Sidney Darsey III and wife Lauren of Tupelo; six great grandchildren, Allen Pillow Darsey, Robert Moss Darsey, Helen Neville Darsey, Emily Durden Darsey, Edward Locke Darsey and Sidney Caroline Darsey.

Pallbearers will be Damon Darsey, Reed Darsey, Will Darsey, Mike Mikell, James Gamble and Vergil Scott.

Honorary pallbearers will be Marion Carnegie, Reuben Smith, Jr., and Bryant Reed, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Fayette Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 423, Fayette, MS 39069, or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made to lairdfh.com.