Buddy Oliver

William N “Buddy” Oliver, Jr., 84, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Highland Home. Visitation will be Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 5:00-7:00pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland and Friday, September 13, 2013 from 11:00 to 1:00 at Trace Ridge Baptist Church where services will be held at 1:00pm. Buddy will be laid to rest that afternoon at 3:30pm in Kosciusko City Cemetery.

Buddy Oliver was born on July 30, 1929, in Belzonia, MS .He graduated from Kosciusko High School where he enjoyed sports and playing drums in the band. He attended Mississippi College and graduated from Mississippi Southern College (USM). He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and played in the Southern Miss. Band.

After graduation he became a teacher and coach in Ruleville, MS. In 1958, Buddy began working for Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Agency beginning a lifelong career in the insurance industry. In 1963, Buddy became a partner in McCool-Oliver Insurance Agency in Jackson. In 1991, he became affiliated with the Insurance Mart in Jackson. For many years Buddy served as the Legislative/PAC Chairman for PIA (Professional insurance Agents). He was honored as Mississippi Mutual Agent of the year and PIA Agent of the Year. Buddy was a lifelong sports fan who spent over 20 years officiating High School basketball and football games throughout Mississippi. He faithfully supported his beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs. He served as the President of the Jackson Touchdown Club. Buddy was a member of Trace Ridge Baptist Church in Ridgeland, MS.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Nathan Oliver, Sr. and Carolyn Davis Oliver of Kosciusko.

He is survived by his son, B.F. Oliver (Delynn), daughters, Susan Oliver Easley and Tracy Farmer (Michael), all of Madison; sister, Carolyn Orr (Jennings) of Ridgeland. “Pop” will be dearly missed by six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Hills Baptist Retreat in Kosciusko, MS. Donations should be mailed to MS Baptist Convention Board, PO Box 530, Jackson, MS 39205.