Dr. William D. Longest

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Dr. William D. Longest of Oxford, Mississippi, known affectionately as “Doc,” passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Baptist-Calhoun Hospital in Calhoun City, Mississippi. He was 94, a veteran of the United States Air Force, and a “force” as a Professor of Biology at The University of Mississippi for 24 years.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Glenville Cemetery in Panola County, with Reverend Alan Cochet officiating. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Longest was born January 22, 1929, in Beckham, Mississippi – one of seven children of Joe and Bertha Longest. Joe Longest was a lifelong farmer in Calhoun County who owned Longest Dairy. The family worked hard together, including the children, and Doc delivered milk to the dairy’s customers at a young age.

Mr. and Mrs. Longest were also strong advocates of higher education, and they encouraged their children along that path. Four of the seven earned college degrees. Three became teachers, and one became a chemist.

In 1946, Doc enrolled at what was then Northwest Mississippi Junior College (NWJC) in Senatobia. He soon enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in the Sixth Weather Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma before service overseas in Japan and Korea. He earned both the Occupation Medal in Japan and the Korean Service Medal in Korea.

Following military service Doc attended Baylor University, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in plant physiology. He earned a doctoral degree in zoology at Louisiana State University in 1966. His teaching assignments were at Blue Mountain College, Northwest Mississippi Junior College (now Northwest Mississippi Community College), Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), and Louisiana State University. But the majority of his teaching career was at Ole Miss for nearly a quarter-century. Many of Oxford’s current and retired physicians and dentists were his students.

Doc was certainly respected (and even feared a little) by students in his classroom, but those who knew him best knew the truth – that he was a gentle giant. His kindness showed in many ways, not the least of which were his family life and church service. Doc met his bride, Catherine Taylor of the Glenville community near Como, while he was at NWJC. Their marriage spanned 57 years until Catherine’s passing in 2017. They did not have children of their own, but lovingly cared for Catherine’s brother Robert from childhood until his death in 2011 at the age of 63.

The Longests made their home in the College Hill community just north of Oxford. Their property was a symphony of large, well-tended flower and vegetable gardens, the bounty of which they shared generously with any who asked. Catherine was widely known for the beautiful arrangements she provided for weddings, funerals, and special occasions. Doc, Catherine, and Robert were active members of College Hill Presbyterian Church, where Doc was an elder and treasurer for many years, and elder emeritus. He also served the community on the College Hill Water Association board.

In his later years, Doc established academic scholarships at both Northwest Mississippi Community College and Ole Miss. At NWCC, the Dr. William D. and Catherine Taylor Longest Endowment honors the memory of his beloved wife. The Joe W. Longest, Jr. Endowment honors the memory of his father. At Ole Miss, the William D. Longest Scholarship Endowment assists transfer students in completing their degrees.

Doc’s survivors include two brothers, David Longest and Giles (Buddy) Longest; sisters-in-law Wanda Longest and Shirley Pratt; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews; extended family Jim and Tina Taylor; and dear friends AJ, Jen, Nila Vae, Pearson, and Judson Hart Cochet.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Longest’s memory may be made to the Dr. William D. and Catherine Taylor Longest Endowment, Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation, 4975 Highway 51N, Senatobia, MS 38668, Phone (662) 562-3200.