William Eugene “Gene” Sappington, Jr. died Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born September 8, 1922 in Ecru to the late William Eugene and Nannie Mae Dillard Sappington. He was the former owner of G & S Grocery in Wheeler and worked in railroad construction. He was a member of Wheeler United Methodist Church and a 32nd Degree Mason. He enjoyed pets, gardening, fishing and hunting.

Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 at the McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ricky Bishop officiating. Burial will be in the Booneville Cemetery.

He is survived by two daughters, Dot (Jerry) South and Lynn (Rickey) Voyles, both of Wheeler; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Betty Glover of Wheeler; two special nieces, Jane Lamy and Jimma Glover; special nephew, Bill Glover; several other nieces and nephews; a special friend, Daniel Barfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Genevieve Sappington; and nine siblings.

Pallbearers will be Joe Wayne Garner, Lonnie Murphy, Marvin Leach, Q.T. Voyles, Stephen Lamy, and Bill Glover. Honorary pallbearers will be Bonnard Eaton, the men of the Wheeler United Methodist Church, and the staff of Longwood Community Living Center.

Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday and until service time Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wheeler United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 59, Wheeler, MS 38880.