Mr. William Howard Cornelius, Jr., age 76, died January 7, 2014, at Windsor Place in Columbus, MS. Services for Mr. Cornelius will be 2:00 pm Friday, January 10, 2014, at Fairview Baptist Church with Rev. Sammy Crawford and Rev. Jason Duran officiating. Interment will follow at Tabernacle Cemetery in Ethesville, AL, with Memorial Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be 12:30 -2:00 PM Friday, January 10, 2014, at Fairview Baptist Church. Mr. Cornelius was born November 23, 1937, in Guntersville, AL, to the late Leo Bain and William Howard Cornelius, Sr. He was a 1956 graduate of Liberty High School in Liberty, AL, and Livingston State University in Livingston, AL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Herbert G. Cornelius. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church, Archie Moore's Sunday School Class and Wednesday Night KitchenTeam where he liked to be called a "tray toter." Mr. Cornelius also served as Deacon and Greeter at Fairview Baptist Church. He was an avid Alabama Fan, loved gardening, and was famous for his tomatoes which he loved to share. Mr. Cornelius was a member of the Civitan Club where he served as treasurer. He was an Executive Vice President of Cadence Bank for 32 years and Vice President of Bank First for 2 years. He also taught a Banking and Finance class at MUW. Before his banking career, he coached and taught social studies at Aliceville High School. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Martha Cornelius of Ethelsville, AL; sons, Jeff Cornelius (Chris) of Galveston, TX; and Glenn Cornelius of Ethelsville, AL; daughter, Susan Duran (Jason) of Tupelo, MS; sister, Gwen Smith (Roy) of Valley Head, AL; brother, Henry B. Cornelius of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Troy, Jeffrey, Jr., Mehgan, and Adam Cornelius and Mackenzye and Katie Duran. Pallbearers include: Adam Cornelius, Jeffrey Cornelius, Jr., Joe Atkins, Bo Harris, Hubert Caston and Herbert Caston. Honorary pallbearers will be Archie Moore Sunday School Class, employees of Cadence Bank, employees of Bank First, and Dr. Brad Brown. Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church 55+ Ministry; 121 Airline Road; Columbus, MS 39702, Palmer Home for Children; P O Box 746; Columbus, MS 39703, or Community Hospice; 3289 McCullough Blvd; Belden, MS 38826
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