The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

William O. Burke

JACKSON – William O. Burke, 93, a resident of the Mississippi State Veterans Home, died Wednesday, June 29, 2005, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center.

Visitation will be 5-7 tonight at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street and 10 a.m. Friday at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with burial to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg at 2 p.m.

Mr. Burke was born in Calhoun County to William J. and Mae Seale Burke. He moved to Vicksburg, where he began a career in the life insurance business. While in Vicksburg, he was a member of Crawford Street Methodist Church, where he met and married his wife, Elizabeth Birdsong.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for his participation in several of the major campaigns in the European Theater, including the invasion of Normandy, the Bulge and the Ardennes. He continued his military service in the Army Reserve, retiring after 31 years of service with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. He served for several years in the Mississippi State Guard.

After WWII, he returned to Jackson where he resumed his career in the insurance business as an agent and in management. He owned and operated several barbershops in Jackson.

His favorite recreation was hunting and he spent many days in the field with his bird dogs, family and friends. He enjoyed reading about outdoor life and especially military history.

Bill was a faithful member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for 51 years, serving on the Board of Stewards.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; son, William T. Burke of Jackson; daughter, Beverly Burke of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Jennifer Legler of Orlando, Fla., Matthew Burke of Plano, Texas, Katy Campbell of Birmingham, Ala., and Lyerly Christensen of Hattiesburg; and two great-grandchildren, Walker and Gracie Legler of Orlando.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 621 Duling Ave., Jackson MS 39216.

O.D. McCoy

EDWARDS – O.D. McCoy died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She was 73.

Mrs. McCoy was a housekeeper and retired from the Sun and Sand Motel. She was a member of St. Mark M.B. Church in Edwards.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James McCoy Sr.; three brothers, Calvin Jacobs, Wilbert Moore and Elbert Moore; and one sister, Bernice Trim.

Survivors include two stepsons, James McCoy Jr. and Willie McCoy, both of Jackson; one stepdaughter, Jean D. Brown of Chicago; one adopted son, Dwayne McCoy of Edwards; four sisters, Mae Helen Wilson, Lillie Boyd and Minnie Beachman, all of Jackson, and Edna Harris of Edwards; and other relatives and friends including Eunice Moore, Dianne Donald and Trollars Moore, all of Edwards, and Deloris Butler of Memphis.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark M.B. Church in Edwards. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Edwards. Visitation will be from 1 until 7 p.m. Friday at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home in Vicksburg.

William Thad Travis

LAKE PROVIDENCE – William Thad Travis died Wednesday, June 29, 2005, at his home in Lake Providence. He was 87.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Travis; his parents, William Travis and Addie Susan Travis; and one son, Johnny Travis.

Survivors include six sons, Joe Travis and Dicky Travis, both of West Monroe, Jacky Travis of Livingston, Tenn., Jimmy Travis of Seminary, Miss., Billy Travis of Lake Providence and Leroy Travis of Monroe; five daughters, Dot Lovell, Shelia Cook and Sharon Styron, all of Lake Providence, Bonnie Coburn of Sparta, Tenn., and Tiffany Moody of Livingston; one sister, Belle Breedlove of Hesperia, Calif.; 27 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 today at Cox Funeral Home Chapel in Lake Providence with the Rev. Bill Bearden officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 this morning until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Greg Travis, Aaron Travis, Dustin Travis, David Travis, Leroy Travis and Brian Travis.