Mr. Billy Preston Lane Sr.

Long time Clinton resident Billy Preston Lane passed away Thursday afternoon, July 2, 2015, at his home. His loving wife, Jonnie, was at home with him as his 87 years came to an abrupt but peaceful end. Mr. Lane will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Known for his dry wit and his friendliness, his warm and considerate nature always showed through and revealed his charm and conscientious demeanor. He was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all things. He generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Mr. Lane was born on April 10, 1928, in New Hebron, Lawrence County, Mississippi, to Samuel Tilden Lane and Bonnie Bertha Dampeer Lane. He graduated from New Hebron High School in 1947. He was inducted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Okinawa from 1950 to 1952. In 1956 he graduated from Mississippi State University School of Business with a degree in accounting. He worked as a bank examiner for the State Banking Department of the State of Mississippi, until he retired in August, 1992. He was an active member of Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton teaching Sunday School for a number of years before moving to Midway Baptist Church in 2004, where he was a faithful member and served as a deacon.

He married Ruth White in 1953, and they had two children: Billy Preston Lane, Jr. and Renita Kay Lane. He had two beautiful grandchildren, Brooke and Krista, of whom he was very proud.

In 1998, he married his childhood sweetheart, Jonnie Louise Riley, and they had 16 wonderful years together before the Lord took him.

Mr. Lane was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Herschel and Arval, his sister Leola and his first wife, Ruth. He is survived by his son Preston (Dianne), his daughter Renita Kay, his granddaughters, Brooke and Krista and his wife, Jonnie Riley Lane, and her children Harry Lee Richardson, Jr. (Rebecca), Vickie Lynn Mergner (James), and Suzanne Hardy (Ricky), 6 grandchildren and one great grandchild, Emmie.

Mr. Lane was an avid painter and specifically enjoyed painting landscapes and birds. He was a Mason as well as an active member of the Order of Eastern Star. He held many offices at the Local Level of the Order, including Worth Patron of Clinton Chapter. At the State Level, he served the Grand Chapter in several capacities, including serving on several committees and as a Grand Representative of Oregon in Mississippi.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 6, at 11:00 A.M. at Lakewood Memorial Park in Clinton with Rev. Anthony Kay officiating. Interment followed the service at the Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to ESTARL may be sent to:

ESTARL

c/o Marie Smith, PGM

5684 Valley Road

Meridian, MS 39307