William C. Jarvis

     William “Bill” C. Jarvis, 75, of DeKalb, passed away peacefully the afternoon of July 10, 2024, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

     Bill was born to Houston Thomas Jarvis, Sr. and Eloyse Fulton Jarvis on December 13, 1948, at Riley Hospital in Meridian, MS. In 1970, Bill graduated from the Mississippi Highway Patrol School. Five years later, he would marry the love of his life, Bettye Carol Peeler, and together, they began their family in Kemper County.

    As the son of the former Sheriff of Kemper County, law enforcement seemed to be ingrained in Bill’s future. Bill began his career with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, working for many years as a trooper on the roads of the state he loved. Later he served as a Master Sergeant, Lieutenant, and finally as Captain of the Meridian District. Having retired in 1998 after a devoted 28 years of service, he became the first warden of Kemper Neshoba Correctional Facility and would subsequently go on to serve as warden for the Leake County Correctional Facility. Bill was dedicated to the Lord, his church, and his family. He loved to hunt, fish and was an avid Mississippi State Bulldogs fan.

     He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Bettye Carol Peeler Jarvis; sons, Tommy Jarvis and wife, Amanda, Josh Jarvis and wife, Beth, and Jeremy Jarvis; daughter, Angela Greene and husband, Greg, and their family; brother, Houston T. Jarvis, Jr. and wife, Ethel; sister, Shelby “Jeanie” Kilpatrick; brother-in-law, Phil Peeler and wife, Diane of Ripley, MS; sister-in-law, Martha Hopkins of Southaven, MS; along with four grandchildren, Bodhi, Liam, Mackenzie, and Dagney.

     Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Houston Thomas Jarvis, Sr. and Eloyse Fulton Jarvis; brother-in-law, Robert Van Kilpatrick; father-in-law, Jesse Troy Peeler and mother-in-law, Hermie Elizabeth Peeler of Ashland, MS.

     Visitation for Bill will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2024, from 4-7pm at Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, July 15, 2024, at DeKalb Baptist Church, beginning at 11am with Bro. Hal Bates and Bro. James Ruffin officiating the services. Burial will take place in the Salem Cemetery (Kellis Store Cemetery).

     Pallbearers for Bill’s funeral service will be members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Motorcycle Unit and pallbearers for the burial service will be members of Mississippi Highway Patrol Honor Guard.

     Honorary pallbearers will include all members, active and retired, of law enforcement, especially including members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and members of the Kemper County Sheriff’s Department.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made in Bill’s honor to DeKalb Baptist Church or to the organization of your choice.

     The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb is grateful for the opportunity to honor Bill’s life and memory and to serve his loving family during this time.