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Charles William “Billy” Greene departed this earth to his eternal and heavenly home, peacefully, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. He was 94 years old. He was born January 5, 1929 in Starkville, MS to Hugh Greene and Bertie Kolb Greene.
He was a proud native and lifelong resident of Starkville, MS, where he had many fond memories of growing up. He graduated from Starkville High School in 1947, where he was named, Mr. Starkville High and Most Outstanding Senior. He also played the position of Quarterback for the Yellow Jackets Football team. Mr. Greene attended Mississippi College where he played varsity football. He went on to further his education at The University of Mississippi “Ole Miss,” where he was a member of Kappa Psi honorary pharmaceutical fraternity and Sigma Chi Social Fraternity. Upon graduating from “Ole Miss” in 1951 with a Pharmacy degree, Billy immediately chose to enter the United States Air Force, where he was able to utilize his education and serve his country in the Korean Conflict in Tachikawa, Japan from 1951-1953. He entered as a 2nd Lieutentant in the Medical Corps and served in Hospital Administration and as a Pharmacy Officer. He had fond memories of also being able to continue to play football and was an official kicker for the Air Force Football Team while serving in Japan. He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutentant at the end of the Korean Conflict on July 27, 1953. Upon, his return home to the States and Starkville, MS, Billy served as a Civil Service Pharmacist at the Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, MS. He became co-owner of the Hartness and Redus Drug Co. in Starkville, MS. He was also associated with the Freiderica Pharmaceutical Co. in Little Rock, AR. He went on to open a second store, Southdale Drugs, as well as, serve as the Hospital Pharmacist at Felix Long Hospital, and the Director of Pharmacy at Oktibbeha County Hospital for 20 years. During this time, along with other partners, Billy was instrumental in developing and opening the first Doctor’s Park and the Medical Center Pharmacy, located near OCH Regional Medical Center. Although many changes have occurred through the years, this area continues to serve Starkville and the surrounding communities. He also enjoyed serving the patients at the Rolling Hills Developmental Center in Starkville as a Pharmacy Advisor. Not only was Billy a “natural born” entrepreneur, he was extremely civic minded and enjoyed fulfilling his civic duties by serving on various committee’s and positions within The Board of the Oktibbeha Chamber of Commerce (i.e. co-chairman of the Retail Merchants Committee, Transportation Communication Committee, Education and Commerce Committee), American Legion, the City Park Commission and The Board of Alderman for the city of Starkville (i.e. Urban Renewal Committee). He was a Board Member of The Merchants & Farmers Bank where he served as Chairman. He also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He is a proud member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and enjoyed being an active member for many years. He also enjoyed the opportunity to attend the National War College in Washington, DC in June 1998. Throughout his life, which he enjoyed to the fullest, his various hobbies were reading, earning his pilot license and flying, travelling, playing golf and meeting new people. He never met a stranger and did his best to help others when he was able. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Starkville, MS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Greene and Bertie Kolb Greene, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Kolb of Sturgis, MS, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Richard Greene of Ackerman, MS, brother, Hugh Greene, who passed away in infancy, his sister, Loydale Greene Jones, brother-in-law, Ernest E. “Country” Jones, of Starkville, MS, nephew, Roger Jones, of Houston, TX, brother James Robert “Hot” Greene, sister-in-law, Mary Alice Morgan Greene of Sturgis, MS, niece, Marilyn Greene Leonard, nephew-in-law, Mark Leonard of Columbus, MS, brother-in-law, George Russell Stallings, of Sturgis, MS, brother-in-law, Everette Swindoll and sister-in-law, Sharon Abbott Swindoll of Eupora, MS.
He is survived by his loving wife of 19 year’s of marriage, Genera “Ann” Abbott Greene, his son from a previous marriage, Charles William Greene, II (Melanie) of Starkville, MS, daughter from a previous marriage, Leigh Greene Imes (Gene) of Columbus, MS and three grandchildren, Ashely “Megill” Imes of Columbus, MS, Charles William “Will” Greene, III and Charles Matthew “Matt” Greene of Starkville, MS, nephew, Terry Greene (Sally) of Little Rock, AR, nephew, William “Bill” Carey Jones (Colleen) of Franklin, TN and a host of great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his beloved sister-in-law, devoted and faithful caregiver, Shirley Abbott Stallings, sister-in-law, Eula Abbott Stewart (Gary) of Columbus, MS, sister-in-law, Margaret Abbott Owen of Maben, MS, brother-in-law, James J. “Buddy” Abbott, Jr. (Johnnie) of Walthall, MS, and a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held at Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Starkville, MS this Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. with a Memorial Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. A private burial of his cremains will be held at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Starkville, MS.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial gift may do so to Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at donors@stjude.org or by phone at (800) 608-3023 or a charity of your choice.
The entire family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the quality personal care provided by the staff at the MS State Veterans Home, Kosciusko, MS.
