William "Bill" Buckner

William Fred “Bill” Buckner went to be with his Saviour on May 23, 2014 after a long battle with Leukemia. A celebration service of his life will be held at 12:00pm Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at First Baptist Church Jackson, MS. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at First Baptist Church Jackson, MS from 5pm until 8pm with burial later in Craig Springs, MS.

Bill is preceded by his parents Edward Avery Buckner Sr. and Mary Louise Buckner and his sister Mary Barbara Buckner Tyree. He is survived by his wife of twenty five years Patti Adams Buckner, two daughters, Wendy Buckner Sewell (Keith) and children Asa and Ana of Nashville, TN; April Louise Buckner Johnson and her children Noah, Nathan, and Nash of Little Rock, AR; son William David Buckner and his children Ariel and Aslan of Panama City, FL; step son William B. “Trace” Adams III (Jodi) and children Will and Tyler of Wilmington, NC. He is also survived by four brothers Ed Buckner Jr. (Tricia), Donald Buckner (Mary Bob), Joe Buckner (Suzanne) and Johnny Buckner (Debbie).

Bill was born March 8, 1945 in Mobile, AL, graduated from Starkville High School. He attended East MS Jr. College where he played football, was selected All American, and was coached by Bull “Cyclone” Sullivan. Bill also played football at Mississippi State University and then at Delta State University where he received his Bachelors Degree. He later earned his Masters Degree from Mississippi State University. Bill was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.

His career as a head football coach began in Huntsville, AL and including Starkville Academy, Kosciusko High School, East MS Jr. College, Delta State University, Mississippi State University and Hinds Junior College. He was inducted into the Delta State University Sports Hall of Fame, the MS Community College Hall of Fame, the Hinds Community College Hall of Fame and the MS Sports Hall of Fame. After 18 years of coaching, Bill was called to the ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as State Director. He also served as Regional Director over MS, AL and the pan handle region of FL. Twenty seven years later, FCA has to grown to a staff of 30 with 6 volunteers.

Bill always felt Mississippi was his mission field. He lived with dignity, strength, and humility. He was mentored and he was a mentor. He was discipled and was a disciple. He was a humble and kind man that inspired many “to press on towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14

Wright & Ferguson is handling funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested be made to the Fellowship Of Christian Athletes Mississippi. PO Box 449, Ridgeland, MS. 39158