William J. "Bill" Tallant, Jr.

Tupelo - William Jennings (Bill) Tallant, Jr., 92, passed away Monday, December 31, 2018 at his daughter's residence in Shannon after a brief illness. On August 30, 1926, he was born to William Jennings Tallant, Sr. and Eula Underwood in Oktibbeha County. He moved to East Tupelo when he was ten years old. Immediately after graduating from East Tupelo High School in 1944, he was drafted by the United States Army where he served in the 43rd Signal Company in the 43rd Infantry Division in Philippine Islands during WWII and received a Battle Star for his participation in the Southern Luzon Campaign in the South Pacific. During this Campaign, he was selected to drive for the Commanding General. At the conclusion of WWII, 1st Sergeant Tallant served in the occupation of Japan and Germany. Bill proudly served in the first active Army Reserve Unit in Tupelo from 1946-1967. Later in life, Bill worked as a Toll Tester for BellSouth for over twenty-two years until his retirement. He loved to travel all over the country enjoying the sport of bowling and was honored as the first inductee into the Mississippi Bowling Hall of Fame, and was also inducted into the National Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri. He was one of the Founding Committee Members involved with the establishment of the Tupelo Veterans Park and remained active on the Committee until he relocated to Shannon to be with his daughter. Bill loved his family and loved to spend time with them. He was a man of quick wit and possessed a great sense of humor. He was known for sharing his "Humor Consultant" business card with everyone as well as his platform in Public Speaking. His memory was astounding and he loved to recount the details for all. He was a lifelong member of East Heights Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and on the Finance Committee.

Survivors include his wife, Julia Skebo Tallent of Tupelo; one daughter, Pamela Tallant Pickens and her husband Randy of Shannon; grandchildren, Anna Catherine Pickens of Shannon and fiancé Jon Gann of Corinth and Harrison Jennings Pickens of Shannon; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Jennings and Eula Underwood Tallant; three brothers, Rex Tallant, Ralph Tallant and Mays Tallant; one sister, Joyce Lamb; and one niece, Sandra Tallent Duncan.

Visitation will be 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at W.E. Pegues, Tupelo.

Services honoring his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. Tim Brown officiating. A eulogy will be given by Dr. Randy McCoy and a reflection of military career by Darrell Rankin. Graveside services with military honors will follow in Lee Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Bob Lamb, Barry Tallant, Scott Tallant and Darrell Rankin, Gwen Berryhill and Nick Humber.

Honorary pallbearers will be Randy McCoy, Joe Kilgo, Billy Burks, Ike Hopper, John Grisham and Bobby Wilson.

The service will be live streamed and recorded for those who may not be able to attend at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .