Dr. William F. "Bill" Appleby passed away peacefully, November 6, 2012, in Lake Junaluska, NC. He was born June 20, 1928 in Drew, Ms. and was a graduate of Eupora High School, Millsaps College (BA '50 & Honorary Doctorate of Divinity '87), Emory University Candler School of Theology (Masters of Divinity '52) and the Methodist Theology school in Ohio (Doctorate of Ministry '78).
A United Methodist minister, Brother Bill faithfully served and loved many small and large churches in North Mississippi for 42 years. He held special affinity for small membership churches and was a co-founder of the first "Cooperative Ministry" in the North Mississippi conference involving 26 congregations on 3 pastoral charges in Thishomingo County. He served as District Superintendent of the Tupelo District and a Conference Council Director of both the North Mississippi and Mississippi Conferences. Additionally, he served on many conference boards and commissions as well as institutions affiliated with the United Methodist Church. He was honored to have served as a delegate representing his conference at the Southeastern Jurisdictional and the General Conferences of the United Methodist Church.
Bill was proud to serve the church and its people and to have mentored and counseled others, particularly young clergy. He cherished his deep and meaningful friendships with others.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Smith Appleby, and leaves a loving wife, Minna Hayes Appleby, and his children, Frank and Libby (Marty Stamper), and their children Will and Lizzy Appleby and Layne & Taylor Smith as well as his step children, Greg Gilbert (Suzy) and Kyle Gilbert (Julia) and their children.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, January 5th., at the Frist United Methodist Church in Clarksdale, Ms. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9:00AM prior to the service. Interment will be private at LaGrange UMC in Choctaw County.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a United Methodist affiliated ministry or institution of your choice.
