William Buford Corley, 85

William Buford “Willie” Corley was born in Chickasaw County, Mississippi to pioneer ancestry on December 7, 1937. His parents were the late James William “Jimmy” Corley and Alice Lorraine Pilgreen Corley. He enjoyed growing up in the country farming, tilling the soil, raising livestock in a family of 8 children, working hard and learning his moral and spiritual values from the teaching and preaching at Boone’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where he was a lifelong member and led singing for the congregation for 27 years. He married his wife, Jeanne, on September 13, 1968 at Union Chapel Baptist Church. Willie started his career in farming with his father and brothers in dairy and beef cattle and in cotton. He later farmed soybeans and corn on his own and with his oldest son. Once leaving row crops, the remainder of his career was spent in poultry and beef cattle with his wife. He was the epitome of what Thomas Jefferson once said, “those that till the soil are the chosen people of God.” Willie Corley made his life center around the land, its produce and his family. He never veered far from his place of birth and was proud of his heritage in Shakerag. He served 7 years in the U. S. Army National Guard and was federalized in l962 during the University of Mississippi Crisis. He enjoyed the outdoors, gardening and raising produce. Willie Corley was a patriotic American, as well as a respected citizen of Chickasaw County and a gentleman in every sense of the word.

A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 from Boone’s Chapel United Methodist Church with Bro. Melvin Aycock and Rev. Kenneth Corley, his brother, officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon-service time on Tuesday only at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors-Okolona is honored to be serving their beloved friends.

Willie is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanne Sullivan Corley; 3 children and their families who revered their Dad and Pawpaw; Jim Corley and wife, Johnna and their children, Caroline Carlisle (Clark), Will and Wesley Corley; Anthony Corley and his children, Brooke McFarland (Jeremiah) and Addison Corley; and daughter, Hope Henry and her husband, Jim and their children Megan Oswalt (Ben) and Summer Henry; 2 great granddaughters, Mila and Scottie Carlisle; one brother, Rev. Kenneth Corley and wife, Glenda of Pontotoc; one sister, Martha Cole and husband, Stuart of Gulfport; three sister-in-laws Lottie Corley and Carlene Corley, and Martha Williams, a large host of nieces and nephews and their families and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Scott Buford Corley, who died in l983 and his siblings, Janelle Rhode, Robert Corley, Clayton Corley, Frances Allen, and Douglas Corley.

Memorials may be made to Boone’s Chapel United Methodist Church or to Boone’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, 341 CR 411, Okolona, MS. 38860. Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net