By Lyndy Berryhill

NATCHEZ — As 2016 comes to a close, Natchez residents are reflecting on some of the influential celebrities who died this year.

Many residents said celebrities they grew up watching and reading about were the most difficult deaths with which to cope.

Natchez native Alex Miller said he thought the two most influential people who died were actress Carrie Fisher, 60, and actor Alan Rickman, 69.

Alan Rickman died Jan. 14 after battling pancreatic cancer. Fisher died Tuesday after suffering a massive heart attack.

“It’s kind of the end of an era,” Miller said about the death of Fisher, beloved for playing the “Star Wars” character Princess Leia.

Miller said he was a “Star Wars” fan, but Rickman’s death affected him the most. He grew up watching Rickman play one of his most iconic roles as Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise.

Flowood resident Tracie Barnard, who grew up in Natchez, said Harper Lee’s death this year most upset her.

The Southern literary giant died in her sleep early on Feb. 19 at age 89.

Always a bookworm, Barnard said “To Kill a Mockingbird” was not on her high school reading list, as it is at many schools, but she read it anyways. The novel, which won the author the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961, remains one of her top five favorite books.

“I just feel like it has been a lot lately,” Barnard said of celebrity deaths.

Barnard said Harper Lee would be missed.

John Belcher said he remembers watching famed golfer Arnold Palmer, who died Sept. 25 at 87 years old, and heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, who died June 3 at 72 years old, back when the television only offered three network channels.

“I watched his first fights on TV,” Belcher said. “He was originally Cassius Clay, (before he changed his name); that’s when I saw him fight.”

Ali won multiple historic fights, including the “Thrilla in Manila” versus Joe Frazier and “The Rumble in the Jungle” where he faced George Foreman.

“He was arrogant, but he was a great fighter,” Belcher said.

Belcher said he also grew up hearing much about Palmer, who won more than 62 Professional Golfers’ Association tour titles across six decades.

“You heard his name a lot,” Belcher said. “He was one of the greatest golfers ever.”

Local singer and music teacher Alvin Shelby said he was also sorry to hear of Fisher’s death. He named his daughter after the “Star Wars” character Princess Leia, whom Fisher played in four films.

But when well-known musicians George Michael and David Bowie, died, Shelby said he lost two inspirations.

Michael died Christmas Day at age 53, and Bowie died Jan. 10 at 69 years old.

“How can you not be inspired by ‘Careless Whisper?’” Shelby said of Michael’s song.

Shelby said he thought Michael was a great musician, writer and producer. He also remains a fan of Bowie.

“Bowie’s music was 30 light-years beyond his time,” Shelby said. “His music was way beyond what our minds could conceive as really great pop music because he pushed the envelope.”

Shelby said Bowie’s ability to keep reinventing himself as an artist is the reason his music remains popular.

“It was always something new, something fresh, something good,” Shelby said. “Being a musician myself, I can really appreciate all of the contributions he made to music.”

Steampunk Coffee Roasters barista Robert Williams said when actor and comedian Gene Wilder died on Aug. 29 at the age of 83, part of his childhood was laid to rest with the funny-man.

“‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ stayed on repeat in my house,” Williams said.

Three years ago, Williams could not find the guitar music to Wonka’s song “Pure Imagination.” He found similar music and altered it to match the featured song on “Willie Wonka.” He still performs the song, singing it by heart.

Williams said so many influential people from his generation have died this year, but time is the real culprit. One day, the younger generation will be going through the same ordeal.

“My gosh, don’t let us lose (actor) Johnny Depp,” Williams said.