William "Bill" Dale Darnell, Jr., 72, of Caledonia, MS, walked into the arms of his heavenly father on Friday, November 1, 2024, after an extended illness.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 12:00-2:00 P.M.  at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.  His service will be November 6, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS, with Rev. Ron McDougald and Rev. Lonnie Cook officiating. Family eulogies will be provided by Rick Darnell and Brett Beatty.  A private graveside service will follow.

Bill was born on June 19, 1952, in Columbus, MS, to Betty Lockhart Darnell and the late Dale Darnell. Bill was a 1970 graduate of Caledonia High School and 1974 graduate of Mississippi State University.  Bill had a heart for service and proudly served the Town of Caledonia as an Alderman for 42 years. Bill also served his community as beloved coach of numerous 14 year old Dr. Pepper Boy's Baseball teams and as a Boy Scout leader.  Bill loved the Lord and served his church, Caledonia United Methodist Church / Caledonia Church on Main as a Youth Leader, Lay Speaker and Leader, and Sunday School Teacher. Bill participated in Emmaus Walk #177 and was the proud author of two books about growing up in a small town and his life in the cattle business raising, showing, and selling Hereford Cattle with his family.   He was an avid baseball card collector and Mississippi State Bulldog fan. Bill was a loyal employee of Microtek Medical/ Ecolab for more than 30 years.

Bill is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Asherbranner Darnell; daughters, Dana (Scott) Fleming and Kellie (Tony) Weaver; grandchildren Brett (Rachel) Beatty, Carson (Garrett) Montgomery, Chase Weaver, Mollie Kate Andrews, Will Andrews and Jackson Fleming; mother, Betty Lockhart Darnell; brother Rick (Karen) Darnell; sister-in-law, Billye Asherbranner; nephews William Darnell, Lawrence (Amber) Darnell, and Fred Darnell; and niece Leila (Barrett) Dietzius.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Dale Darnell, his grandparents Hewitt and Carolyn Lockhart and Fred and Mae Dee Darnell, his brother Sam Darnell, and his son-in-law Reed Andrews.

Pallbearers will be Brett Beatty, William Darnell, Lawrence Darnell, Walter Dodson, Matt Furnari, and Mike Savage.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Ashe, Mark Atkins, Fred Darnell, Don Harding, Mel Howton, Terry James, Tim Nelson, Doc Perkins, Duane Perkins, James Pugh, Andy Tentoni, Barry Thompson, Doug Wiggins, and the Staff of North Mississippi Medical Center West Point.

Memorials may be made to Caledonia Church on Main, P.O. Box 1, Caledonia, MS 39740 or Ola J. Pickett Park, P.O. Box 100, Caledonia, MS 39740.