James William "Bill" Emmons

James William Emmons

A memorial service for James William Emmons will be held in the chapel at First Baptist Church on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Raymon Leake officiating. There will be a private family interment in Magnolia Cemetery.

Bill passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. He was 98 years old. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Emmons was born on April 6, 1918 in Meridian, Mississippi. He was the second child of Rome Augustus Emmons and Nita Belle Flynt. Bill attended Meridian public schools. At the age of 12, he joined the Boy Scouts and later became an Eagle Scout, earing 30 merit badges. After visiting the Pensacola Naval Air Station, his interest in scouting broadened and he became involved in the Sea Scouts. After graduating from Meridian High School in 1936, he attended Mississippi State University for two years. Bill then received his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, and in June of 1938, he entered the academy as a midshipman (Class of 1942). Because of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Mr. Emmons graduated at an earlier date, December 19, 1941.

After graduating and obtaining his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, he received orders to report to the USS Texas for duty. At Argentia, Newfoundland, he was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Alexander Hamilton (to be later transferred to the Texas). While headed to Iceland, the USCGC Hamilton was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Bill was then transferred to the battleship Texas and became an assistant engineering officer. Mr. Emmons participated in the following World War II operations, while on the Texas: Invasion of North Africa; Normandy (Omaha Beach); Southern France; Iwo Jima; and Okinawa. After the war, Bill continued his career as a naval officer --- he served as the Commanding Officer of several ships and was then assigned to the Office of Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. He rose to the rank of Commander before retiring from the Navy in 1962.

Mr. Emmons then worked as an engineer for Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1962 to 1980. After retiring, he and his wife, Caroline, moved back to Meridian, Ms. Bill enjoyed his years of retirement by pursuing many interests such as woodworking, gardening, crossword puzzles, and reading. An area of special interest was genealogy. He began his study of ancestry in 1949 in Washington, D.C. and continued this search for over 50 years. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Caroline, and many friends to European countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Hawaii. Bill and Caroline also loved the time they spent at their beach house in Gulf Shores, Alabama for about 25 years. Lastly, and most importantly, his faith guided him through his life. He became a member of First Baptist Church of Meridian when he was 10 years old and remained a long-standing member of that church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Caroline Clark Emmons; his parents; brothers, Rufus Emmons, Robert W. Emmons, Sr., and Francis Emmons; sisters, Jane Emmons, Fay Downey, Elsie Johansen, Sara Emmons, and Anita Covington.

He is survived by his brothers, Mack Emmons (Gloria) of Meridian, Rome A. Emmons, Jr. (Cola) of Hattiesburg, and Flynt Emmons (Janet) of Conroe, Texas; two daughters, Camille E. Lane (Jim) of Starkville, and Rebecca E. Hyde of Salisbury, North Carolina. He also leaves his grandchild, Rebecca L. Hanson (Drew) and two great-grandchildren, Andrew and John. He is also survived by 21 nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Emmons Family Scholarship at Meridian Community College, 910 Hwy. 19 North, Meridian, MS 39307, or to First Baptist Church,  P.O. Box 1509, Meridian, MS 39302, or the charity of their choice.

Family and friends may sign the online memorial or leave a personal note for the family at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 6, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. prior to service at First Baptist Church.