News

Dr. James “Jim” Morris O’Neal ’67

Dr. James “Jim” Morris O’Neal, 81, passed peacefully on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. at his home in Oxford. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Lucien and Inez O’Neal of McComb, Miss.

Jim loved the field of chemistry and earned degrees in the science field from Tulane University, The University of Mississippi, culminating with a Ph.D. from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Most recently serving as a chemistry professor at The University of Mississippi, Jim enjoyed a long and diverse professional career including teaching positions at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the U.S. Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Ala., where he served as an active duty officer in the rank of Captain.Read More

William “Bill” Jacob Harrell ’69

William Jacob Harrell, affectionately known as “Bill” or “Jitters”, passed away on Monday, October 28, 2019, at the age of 72. A visitation to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, MS. A memorial service will immediately follow at 6:30 pm. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, TN.

Bill was born in Memphis, TN on March 29, 1947 to the late Albert Griffin Harrell and Louise Ross Holmes Harrell. Growing up in Memphis, one of his favorite pastimes was his frequent visits to see relatives in nearby Arlington, TN. He graduated high school from Overton High School in Memphis and completed his undergraduate and law school studies at his beloved University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford. While at Ole Miss, Bill was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity which provided a large and loving presence throughout his life. Bill’s career was spent in many fields including banking, law, and consulting. Bill was an avid Ole Miss and Chicago Cub fan. He found enjoyment throughout the years coaching and watching his son and grandchildren playing sports. He was able to finish his days in the town he loved, Oxford, and attended Pinelake Church. His advice and play by play breakdown of Ole Miss games will be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Griffin Holmes Harrell and survived by his brother, Dan Harrell, of Baltimore, MD .

He is survived by his only child and son, Marshall Cody Harrell, Cody’s wife, Blair, and his grandchildren, Jack, Griffin, and Baylor Harrell of Hernando, MS.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Pinelake Church of Oxford, 404 Enterprise Drive, Suite I, Oxford, MS 38655.

William “Bill” Henry McKenzie, III ’73

William “Bill” Henry McKenzie, III, died peacefully at home on Friday, May 12, 2017, of adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer. Visitation will be 5-7 PM in the Activities Building of the Batesville First United Methodist Church (119 Panola Avenue) Sunday, May 14, with services in the Sanctuary Monday, May 15, at 11 A.M. with Rev. Ed Temple officiating. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville, MS is in charge of arrangements.Read More

Timothy Alan “Tim” Ford ’73

Tim Ford passed away Friday 27th, 2015 at his home in Oxford, MS, 200 yards from the entrance to Ole Miss, the University of that he loved; with his wife, Kathy, the woman that he loved by his side. Tim was born October 22, 1951 in Baldwyn, Mississippi, the son of Dr. John Mitchell and Rachel Agnew Ford. Along with being a devoted Eagle Scout, Tim was Valedictorian and an All Tombigbee quarterback of the Baldwyn Bearcats. Tim went to Ole Miss and was a pole vaulter on the track team but after pledging Sigma Nu and being elected cheerleader, he abandoned track as well as his pre-med major. After graduation from Ole Miss Law School, Tim practiced law with Carnathan and Malski and was Assistant District Attorney until his election to the Mississippi House of Representatives at age 27. In 1986, he was elected Speaker at age 36. While Speaker, he chaired the Southern Legislative Conference, National Speakers Conference and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. Tim was the first House Speaker in the nation to receive the William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award and was recipient of the Supreme Court 2003 Chief Justice Award. During his legislative career, Tim was a strong supporter of economic development, agriculture, fiscal affairs and education at all levels. On his retirement from the Legislature in 2004, he was the longest then serving Speaker in the United States and the second longest serving Speaker in the history of Mississippi. After his legislative career, Tim went back to the practice of law and was a Senior Partner and member of the Executive Committee of Balch and Bingham, a 250 member firm with offices in four states and Washington, D.C.

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