May 22, 1929 – April 4, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for William Burns Stowers, 86, of Natchez, who died peacefully at home in his sleep, Monday, April 4, 2016, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Noelle Read officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Stowers was born May 22, 1929, in Adams County, the son of Dr. William Kurtz Stowers and Jeanie Bishop Stowers.

Mr. Stowers spent all of his life in Adams County, but for the brief periods when away, wished he was there.

He was a graduate of Natchez High School and attended Mississippi State and Bowling Green College. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder and treasurer. He was also active in the South Mississippi Presbytery and served as treasurer.

Mr. Stowers spent his career as an accountant, but his first love was the land — something he learned from time spent on his grandfather’s farm. He served as president and board member of the Adams County Farm Bureau and as treasurer and board member of the Adams County Soil and Water Association. He was also active on various Adams County agricultural boards.

Mr. Stowers was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 63 years, Julia Emagene “Jeanne” Stowers, who died Nov. 7, 2014.

Survivors include sons, William Burns Stowers Jr. and wife, Melanie, of Clinton, La., and Dr. James Ray Stowers and wife, Claudia, Philadelphia; seven grandchildren, Lauren Stowers Anglin, Natalie Stowers, Brandon and Gavin Stowers, all of Clinton, and Amy Minton of Atlanta, Morgan Forester Paulson of San Francisco and Henry Hayes Forester of Athens, Ga.; and four great-grandchildren, Hayden and Hunter Anglin of Clinton and Madison and Chandler Minton of Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Natchez City Cemetery Association.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.