William Earl Coleman Jr.

William Earl Coleman, Jr., 88, of Olive Branch, MS went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2026. Bill “Buddy” was born on December 31, 1937, in Birmingham, AL to the late William E. Coleman, Sr. and Lillian Mabry Coleman. He is a graduate of Ensley High School in Birmingham and continued his education at Auburn University. In the late 1960’s he relocated his family from Birmingham to Memphis. He retired from GlaxoSmithKline where he worked as regional sales manager. After his retirement, he worked in sales and marketing for WLS Sawmill out of Benton, AR. He worked for them until recently when his health began to prevent him from fulfilling his tasks.

Bill was known for his big personality. He always enjoyed a good laugh, even if it was at his own expense at times. He could make friends anywhere and recently made a whole new set of friends after moving to Silver Creek Senior Living Community. He had a big heart and always made others his priority in life.

Bill was a believer in Jesus Christ and has been a faithful member of LaBelle Haven Baptist Church for many years. He loved the Lord and was not afraid to share his testimony and his faith.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lila Young Coleman; and his sister, Carol Martin (Chuck, deceased). He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Armes (Tim); son, Scott Coleman (Linda); grandchildren: Coleman Armes (Alicia), Savannah Kraft (Andrew), Travis Armes, and Garret Armes (Amy); 2 great-grandchildren to be born this year; sister, Joy Bradford(George, deceased); sister-in-law, Pam Shive (Ronald); and brother-in-law, Bill Young (Nancy, deceased).

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation at LaBelle Haven Baptist Church on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from10:00 am until 12 noon with a funeral service to begin at 12:00. Burial will be at Memorial Park Southwoods.

If you wish to make memorial gift, we humbly ask that you consider LaBelle Haven Baptist Church, 4800 Hwy. 305 N, Olive Branch, MS 38654; and Joni and Friends Mississippi, 795 Woodlands Pkwy., Suite 108, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

A few memories and reminiscing about the life Bill and Lila shared. For both, family was the top priority. Their faith was a partner in that priority, and they instilled deep faith in Kelly and Scott, an also in their grandchildren. While Lila was the homemaker extraordinaire, Bill was a top sales manager in his field with GlaxoSmithKline (also known as SmithKline Beecham.) His influence on the next generation of salesmen and saleswomen was great.

Some of Bill’s interests and memberships throughout his life included The Asphalt Angels Street Rod Club in high school, the Masons, a life-time member of the NRA, and Cub Lake Beagle Club.

Bill and Lila loved to take trips! There were many annual affairs that included family and friends. Just to name a few, The Blue Boar Lodge in the Nantahala Forest North Carolina, Big Cedar Lodge, Smith Lake with Birmingham friends, the Grand Canyon, Sedona AZ, Hawaii, Alaska, England and closer to home they loved the Alabama coast every summer when possible. Many days were spent at the cabin in Abbeville, MS where Lila fished and Bill baited hooks and untangled lines!

Some of the things Bill loved especially were a good laugh, a good story – over and over and over again, a good recipe, sharing snake pictures, making friends, asking people where they are from, dogs, gospel music, giving people nicknames, planning trips, a clean vehicle, cars and racing, guns and trading firearms, sorghum, imprinting merchandise, and emojis! Just to name a few!

Bill will be remembered for so much. Here’s a short list…his big laugh and smile, always making others his priority, his big tender heart, the newsletters, sending cards and sharing his faith in Jesus, always.