William Rudolph “Bill” Sumrall, 88, of Indianola, passed away Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, at his home.
Visitation was from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Ray Funeral Home of Cleveland. Celebration of Life services immediately followed with Rev. Greg Chamblee officiating. Interment was in Delta Heights Memorial Garden Cemetery.
Mr. Sumrall was born in Hattiesburg on Nov. 19, 1929, to Brantley Webster Sumrall and Maggie Zell Suggs Sumrall.
He proudly served our country in the United States Navy during WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. During his time in service he was a flight mechanic, served on photo recon. detail on large aircraft, and was a hydraulic tester. He was awarded numerous medals such as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in Vietnam, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Korean Service Medal, eight Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, and a Bronze Star.
On Jan. 29, 1977, he married Margaret Lee Busby in Meridian and worked most of his life as a Flight Mechanic in the Military until he became a postmaster in Alabama for the United States Postal Service. After retirement, he and his wife got to enjoy their favorite pastime of traveling all over the world for many years. His love for travel and his love for God also lead them on many foreign church missions all over the globe for over 13 years. His passion for the word of God could also be seen through his membership at Cleveland Church of God and his service as President for the Shrine Club throughout the years. More than anything, he loved his family with all his heart and enjoyed spending time with them and taking them on trips.
Mr. Sumrall is preceded in death by his parents, Brantley Webster Sumrall and Maggie Zell Suggs Sumrall; brother, Gordon Sumrall; and sisters, Amy Lou Duckworth and Gertrude Burkhalter.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margaret Busby Sumrall of Indianola; children, Sylvia L. Pope of New Orleans, Michael G. Pope (Brenda) of West Helena, Ark., David W. Pope (Ginger) of Cleveland, and Richard A. Pope (Denise) of Nashville; grandchildren, John Michael Pope of Southaven, Jason Pope of Southaven, Corey Fletcher (Maria) of West Helena, Ark., Jaret King (Mallory) of West Helena, Ark., Jeremy King of West Helena, Ark., Bradley Smith (Samantha) of Nashville, and Deanna Pope Smith (Zach) of Hendersonville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Christian Fletcher, Caylee Fletcher, Harper Fletcher, Marleigh Flynn, Tristan Flynn, and two on the way; brothers-in-law, William “Buddy” Busby (Edith) of Jamison, Ala. and John Busby (Louise) of Poladka, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Teresa Reynolds (Jimmy) of Indianola and Sandra Steed (James) of Cleveland; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Corey Fletcher, John Pope, Jason Pope, Jaret King, Jeremy King, Zach Smith, and Bradley Smith.
The family requests that memorials be made in Mr. Sumrall’s honor to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
To view and sign the online guestbook, go to www.rayfuneralhome.net
