William “Willie” James Stewart, Jr., passed away on March 6, 2018 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. He was born on October 29, 1946 to William and Essie Mae Stewart in Florence, Alabama. He grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, graduating from Forest Hill High School in 1964. He played football at the University of Alabama before joining the U.S. Army in 1967. He was a Vietnam War veteran, and a recipient of a Purple Heart. After returning from the service, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. He worked in the trucking industry, ultimately owning and operating J&R Freight. He retired in 2009. Willie enjoyed traveling the world and loved his country, friends and family dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Essie Mae, his first wife, Miriam Hardin Stewart, and his son, William. He is survived by his wife, Judy Gough Stewart; sons Jason (Yiru) and Bruce (Sunny); daughters Kim Hardin (Ben) Smith and Kristy Hardin (Rob) Marsman; brother Jimmy (Tangie) Stewart and sister Brenda (Chuck) Peel; grandchildren Rebecca, Mari, Justin (Ashton), Kolten, Jessica (Derek), and Erica; and beloved pets, Rudy, Buddy, Charley, Heidi, Lexi, and Sasha. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Parkway Funeral Home, Ridgeland, Mississippi. The family will receive visitors at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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