William Byron Billy James, age 81, of Columbus finished his work on this earth and went to a better eternal home Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from his residence. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Annunciation Catholic Church with Father Robert Dore celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will immediately follow in Friendship Cemetery. The son of the late William Davis and Nora McCahill James, Mr. James was born August 22, 1930 in Columbus. He graduated from S.D. Lee High School and served in the MS Army National Guard. A lifelong resident of Columbus, he owned and operated James Gulf Station and was manager of Hertz Rent "a-Car for 17 years. He also served as Justice Court Judge for 8 years. He became a successful Real Estate Broker, and for over 30 years worked in the Real Estate business. He received many awards and honors, and was recognized as a Million Dollar Salesman for many years. He received the Homes for Living Million Dollar Sales and Listings award in excess of one million dollars. He was a member of the MIssissippi Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. He also was on the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority Board for 9 years, serving as President 6 times. He represented his district on the Columbus City Council and became a certified Municipal Officials advanced graduate. He was a member of the MS Commission on Law Enforcement Assistance for 6 years and a member of the Regional Housing Authority for 5 years. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Josephine Gerhart James and his son Tim James. He is survived by his wife Totsy Fuller James, sons Marty James of Biloxi, MS and Patrick James(Carol) of Madison, MS, stepsons Marty Fuller (Lisa) and Greg Fuller(Sheri), both of Starkville, MS and stepdaughter Rene Fuller Dungam (Jeff) of Columbia, MS, his brother Mike James and sister Lenore James Richards, both of Columbus. He is also survived by his grandchildren Josie, Hunter, Lyndsey, Cooper and Molly James and step grandchildren Brad, Drew, Will and Rachel Fuller and Forrest and Parker Dungam, step great grsndchild Emily Paige Fuller and nephews Brian James, Guy Richards, III and Lee Richards and niece Stephanie Richards Dillard. Pallbearers will be Bill West, Mark Evans, Sammy Porter, Greg Andrews, Pat Adair and Greg Dillard. Honorary pallbearers will be P.K. Jaynes, Dan Sisson, W.V. West, Charlie Newell, L.C. McGee, Curtis Collums, Al Hatcher, Ken Simon, Frank Griffin, Bill Brigham, Butch Dollar, J.T. Moore, B. A. Atkins, Jay Mitchell, Fred Williamson, Charlie Box, Bill Gavin, Ron Smith, Kerry Huffman, Bob Ray, Joe Roberson, Arnold Weathers, John Wierengo, Mayor Robert Smith, Frank Ferguson, Bob Watkins, Frank Goodman, Joe Taggart, Fred Stewart and caregivers Cassie Neal, Lenora Johnson, Linda Craddieth, and Tenenisia Hood. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Catholic Church Building Fund for the renovation of the old church, 823 College Street, Columbus, MS 39701.
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