William Benjamin Funderburk

Printed in the Times Post , Houston, Mississippi dated June 1 1950

Natchez Trace Chief Dies

W B (Bill) Funderburk, who had served in Managerial capacities with power companies in Arkansas and Mississippi, and who had been superintendent of the Natchez Trace Electric Power Association with headquarters in Houston for the past 11 years, died of a sudden heart attack at Houston Hospital Wednesday night about 9:55. He was 57.

At 7 pm Wednesday he became ill at his home here, was rushed to the hospital, and was conscious up until 15 minutes before the end came.

Services were conducted from the First Baptist Church in Houston Friday morning at 10 with the Rev. J I Berryhill of East Tupelo and the Rev. D D Satterwhite, officiating.

The Rev. Mr. Berryhill told of the deceased's life in Tupelo, and how he had helped to build the East Tupelo Baptist Church. Several times, he recalled the church project appeared doomed, but Mr. Funderburk always found a way.

Born in Itawamba county Oct. 25, 1892, he came to Houston from Tupelo, where he was employed by the Miss. Power Company for 15 years and where he was one of the organizers of the East Tupelo Baptist Church. Previously had had been in the employ of the Arkansas Power & Light Company.

He moved to Houston as local manager for the Mississippi Power Company. In December 18, 1930(1939, not sure which one) the local REA Co-Op, the Natchez Trace Electric Power Association, was organized with Mr. Funderburk as superintendent, and he had held that position every since. Under his direction the co-operative had grown from an infant 900 customer to today's 7500, serving the counties of Chickasaw, Webster, Calhoun and part of Pontotoc.

He was a member of the Houston Exchange Club and was a Baptist.

Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Herman and Thurlow of Mobile, Ala., two daughters, Mrs. James McIntosh of Houston, and Mrs. George A Boerner of Memphis, Tenn.; two brothers, C U, of Tupelo and W E, of San Antonio, Tex., and two half sisters, Mrs. Horace Taylor of Tupelo and Mrs. Effie Springer of Oakland, Calif.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 11 2023, 22:35:35 UTC