William Clifton McPherson William Clifton McPherson, 85, of Columbus, MS passed away Sunday, December 02, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS. A Celebration Service will be held Wednesday, December 5 at 2 PM at Bethel Baptist Church, Columbus, MS with Bro. Walter Butler officiating. A visitation time will immediately follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall. Lowndes Funeral Home is directing. Mr. McPherson was born July 25, 1927, to the late Charlie & Mattie Flynn McPherson in Flat Creek, AL. He married Thelma Warren McPherson in 1947 and moved to Columbus in 1951. Mr. McPherson was a veteran of the United States Army and served during World War II. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he was a deacon for the past 59 years and loved singing in the choir. Mr. McPherson retired in 1989 from being an insurance agent with American General (20 years) and United Insurance Companies (5 years). He received many insurance awards and honors over these 25 years. Prior to his insurance career, he was in the dry cleaning business. Mr. McPherson enjoyed fishing and loved God, his church and his family. Mr. McPherson is survived by his wife of 65 years, Thelma Warren McPherson, Columbus, MS, daughters – Anita (Don) Logan, Douglasville, GA and Diane (Avery) Duncan, Caledonia, MS, grandchildren – Chris (Jenann) Logan, Villa Rica, GA and Melia (Michael) Winslett, Carrollton, GA, great-grandchildren – Emma Logan and Ava Marie Logan, Fulton, MS. Because of Mr. McPherson's love for birds, memorials may be sent to the Audobon Society, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 or www.audobon.org. Alternatively, donations my be made to the building fund for Bethel Baptist Church, 3232 Military Rd., Columbus, MS 39705.