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 J. Coutch

YAZOO CITY — William J. “Jimmy” Coutch died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. He was 82.

Born in Claiborne County, Mr. Coutch was the son of Sallye Ann Dean and William Wallace Coutch. He was a longtime resident of Yazoo City and was an Army veteran, serving in World War II. He retired as a driver for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Coutch of Yazoo City; one son, Mike Coutch of Benton; two daughters, Pam Hampton of Brandon and Carolyn Huff of Hickory Flat; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City with the Rev. Caleb Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City.

Pallbearers will be Clyde Conerly, Phillip Coutch, Dennis Killebrew, Frank Coutch, Glen Coutch and Kenny Killebrew.

Willie Clarence Thomas Sr.

Willie Clarence Thomas Sr. died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at River Region Medical Center. He was 81.

Mr. Thomas retired after 45 years from Waterways Experiment Station. He was a member of the Worldwide Church of God. He was a veteran of the Army, serving in World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris West Thomas; a son, Joe Thomas; three brothers, Lee Thomas, Isiah Thomas Jr. and Oscar Thomas; two sisters, Mildred Willis and Celestine Thomas; and his parents, Isiah Thomas Sr. and Maggie Louise Holmes Thomas.

Survivors include seven sons, Freddrick Thomas and Willie C. Thomas Jr., both of Vicksburg, Daniel Thomas and Ken Thomas, both of Atlanta, James Thomas of the Philippines, Michael Thomas of Mareno, Calif, and Roy Thomas of Merrill, Ind.; two daughters, Demetric T. Hall of Vicksburg and Bobbie Jean Thomas Jefferson of Vallejo, Calif.; two brothers, Ted Thomas of Arizona and Grant Thomas of Los Angeles; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives, including members of the West, Franklin, Liggins, Lewis, Walton, Palmer and Polk families.

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Charles Hiram Woods

Charles Hiram Woods died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007. He was 41.

Born in Houston, Texas, Mr. Woods had been a resident of Vicksburg since 1975. Although disabled, he found it rewarding to help others.

Mr. Woods attended the Apostolic Church.

He is survived by a daughter, Shannon Woods of Dayton, Ohio; his parents, John Woods Sr. and Mary H. Woods of Vicksburg; one sister, Cathy Roton of Vicksburg; four brothers, John Woods Jr., Richard Woods, Steve Woods and Jonathan Hopkins, all of Vicksburg; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Riles Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Parks officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Wednesday until the service.

Pallbearers will be John Woods Jr., Richard Woods, Jonathan Hopkins, Chris Ferguson, Ricky Roton, Davis Strong, Jeffrey Strong and Michael Strong.