Sept. 27, 1940 — Feb. 16, 2018

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for William Alvin “Billy” Orcutt, 77, of Natchez, who died Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, at Merit Health Natchez, will be 2 p.m. Monday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carl Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at the funeral home.

Mr. Orcutt was born Sept. 27, 1940, in Baker, La., the son of Arthur Lee Orcutt Sr. and Elma Beard Orcutt. He loved God, his church, his family and was affectionately called “Poppa Rabbit” by his grandchildren. He loved cheering for Ole Miss sports and tending to his dogs.

Billy worked for Armstrong Tire Plant until it closed. He then he began commercial fishing. He fished on Rodney Lake and the Mississippi River and would sell his catch at his fish market in Natchez to many satisfied customers and friends. He was ordained as a deacon at Washington Baptist Church in December 2017.

Mr. Orcutt was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Seth Orcutt.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Orcutt; two brothers, Eddie Orcutt and wife, Stella, of Rodney and Arthur Lee Orcutt of Madison; one sister, Mary Lou Logan and husband, George, of Natchez; three sons, Bill Orcutt of Harriston, Robert Orcutt and wife, Brenda, of Rodney, and Chris Higgs and wife Mary Alice, of Eddiceton; eight grandchildren, Angela and Michael Orcutt, Zeb, Cheyenne, Katie Belle and Drake Higgs, Brooke and Charlie Orcutt; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his lifelong friend, Johnny Thompson of Natchez.

Pallbearers will be, Ernie Orcutt, Mike McMullen, Holden McMullen, USMC Lance Cpl. Zeb Higgs, Gordon Jamison and Iva Ray Thornton.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.