MERIDIAN —

    Graveside services for Billy Eugene McWilliams will be held Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery with Dr. Rhett Payne, Rev. Robert Horell and Rev. Mike Boles officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

    Mr. McWilliams, 84, of Meridian passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a lengthy illness on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Anderson Regional Medical Center.

    Mr. McWilliams was owner of Consumer Oil Company and McWilliams Properties, Ltd. He attended Meridian High School where he excelled in football, track, basketball and the American Legion baseball. He loved the Wildcats and attended games until his illness prevented him from attending. He went to Louisiana State University on a football scholarship and supported his “Tigers” until the end. Billy’s great passion was his quarter horses that he raised, rode and enjoyed.

    Billy enjoyed all of his business associates; he was a loving and giving husband, son, father, grandfather and a friend to the many people that worked with him through the years.

    He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia Majure McWilliams and his son Lauren Majure McWilliams and his dear friend Ben Alexander. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law Diane S. McWilliams, grandsons Delaney and Lance McWilliams, his great-grandchildren Kayla and Matthew McWilliams, his brother Leon McWilliams, sister Virginia Bolendar and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family that he dearly loved.

    He was preceded in death by his son Bill McWilliams, Jr., his father and mother Mr. and Mrs. Leon McWilliams, Sr., his brother Thomas “Shorty” McWilliams, his sisters Mary Terrell and Dorothy Nunnery and also his beloved in-laws Mr. and Mrs. Lauren L. Majure.

    Honorary pallbearers will be W. L. (Bill) Jones, James E. McGinnis, Lindy Callahan, and Joe E. Reid. Also honorary pallbearers will be in memory of James B. Strange and Jim McCoy.

    In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 905 23rd Avenue, Meridian, Miss., 39301.