Bill Larson, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at the Elison in Oxford, MS surrounded by his family. He was born on February 28, 1935 in Water Valley, MS to the late Janie (hunt) and James E. Larson. He was the second child of four, with brothers James and Joe, and sister Jane. The boys learned the grocery business in a small store on Main Street, and that was the start of a seventy plus year, third generation, local supermarket tradition.

Bill attended Water Valley High School and North West Community College where he played on the Ranger Football team. He was offered a scholarship at Arkansas State University, but opted to marry his high school sweetheart, Wanda Weems, and start a family. They moved to Water Valley where he managed the Leadway store on Main Street. Their only child, Mark was born in 1957.

Brothers James and Joe both moved back to the area, and the three of them expanded the Big Star and Piggly Wiggly stores to ten locations.

Bill’s pride and joy was the Water Valley location as he was so actively involved in the community. Bill was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church where he served in various roles over the years. Bill was elected to the Mechanics Bank Board of directors and served over forty years, eventually becoming the Chairman of the Board. He treated his position and the bank as if it were his own and was very proud of the success it achieved, and the service it provided to Water Valley.

Bill made time to take up the game of golf and was a fixture on the Yalobusha Country Club course for many years. Along with his brothers, many rounds were played, and many trips were taken to golf resorts around the south.

Bill and Wanda traveled to most of the states, and many countries around the world, many times with other families they had come to know through the grocery business. They were both avid Ole Miss football fans and attended games regularly over the years.

Bill and Wanda were married for seventy years in 2025, and were in love just as much as they were in 1955.

Their family grew over the years with grandchildren in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s and great-grandchildren more recently.

Wanda preceded Bill in death on November 19, 2025, and for the first time in almost seventy-five years, he was without his best friend and life long love. He filled the void with time spent with family and his three great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his son Mark (Daisha) Larson of Oxford, MS; three grandchildren, Chad (Linda) Larson of Nesbit, MS, Nathanael Abernethy of Colorado Springs, CO, Alan (Avery) Larson of Tupelo, MS; and three great-grandchildren, Steve Larson, Margot Larson, and Cecilia Larson.

Visitation is planned for Friday, April 24, 2026, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 9:00AM until 11:00AM. Services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Fred Eakes and Milton Whatley officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Water Valley, MS.

The funeral service can be viewed by clicking HERE