Mr. William "Bill" Parks Sissell, 87, passed away on April 21, 2013 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS.

Mr. Sissell, a veteran of WWII, served in the Army Artillery in Germany. Upon discharge, he completed his education receiving degrees from Mississippi State University and later the University of Mississippi.

In 1947, he married Amy Nannette Shipp. They made their first home in Crowder, following farming interests, and it was there that Bill began his long teaching career.

In the mid-1950's, Bill and Nannette moved to Batesville, again, because of framing and cattle interests. He worked for many years in the South Panola School District, teaching high school chemistry and acting as assistant principal and district Title I Coordinator. He served as Panola County Superintendent of Education and in his final years as an educator, Bill taught at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Throughout his life, Bill was actively involved in his community. He was a member of Civitan, Friends of the Library, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and PanGens. He was a contributing writer for the Water Valley Herald's column, "Out on the Mudline" and an honorary ambassador for Water Valley.

Bill was a member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church and served as president of Mississippi United Methodist Men and was named to the Society of John Wesley. He was honored as a life-time member of the Ole Miss Wesley Foundation Board of Directors and participated in Walk to Emmaus #127.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John Reuel and Sarah "Sadie" Thomas Brower Sissell; a brother, John Reuel Sissell, Jr., and two sisters, Lucile Sissell Martin and Ruth Sissell Jenkins.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nannette, and their three children, Nancy Parks Sissell Bridges (Gil), Susan Frances Sissell Riddick (Taylor) and William Shipp Sissell (Denise); his grandchildren, Melba Major, James Robert Major, Bowen Bridges (Abbey), William Riddick, Louisa Riddick Whitmire (Brian), Parker Sissell, and Kristin Sissell McClenic (Steven); his great-grandchildren, Harrison Whitmire, Sadie Whitmire and Anne Ruth Bridges.

Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Dickins Funeral Home on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 10am. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, MS. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 5-7pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church c/o James Thornon, 2918 Mt. Olivet Rd., Batesville, MS 38606 or to Shipp Cemetery c/o Nancy Bridges, 310 Brewer Rd., Batesville, MS 38606.

Dickins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.