Jackson Jambalaya

Here are some of the reactions yesterday to the passing of former Governor Bill Waller as well as the funeral arrangements:

Secretary of State Delbert Hoseman:
"Governor Bill Waller was a true statesman, leader, and friend. He took on the ‘Capital Street Gang’ and most everything else he believed was not in the best interest of the State of Mississippi and its citizens. All of us are better today because of his presence among us.”

Governor Barbour:
"Mississippians have lost a great leader who launched an era of change that continues to this day. Bill Waller began a transition from which our citizens have benefited, and his “Straight Ahead” style helped our state move forward.

“Marsha and I considered him a friend, and our sympathies go out to Carroll and their family. Of course, we have benefited directly from the Wallers’ service as they saved the Governor’s Mansion from decay and led its restoration. Today, tens of thousands of Mississippians enjoy this little jewel in downtown Jackson as will generations to come.

“I was honored to present Governor Waller with the Mississippi Medal of Service in 2009. He deserved it and more.”

Ricky Cole, Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party:
"Mississippi is much the poorer today for having lost one of our most distinguished citizens. During his tenure as governor, Bill Waller was a visionary leader with a passion for progress. He was the first governor to begin to recognize the importance of diversity in Mississippi politics and government. He saw clearly that quality public education is essential to the improvement of quality of life for all our people. He knew that Mississippi had to have a reliable, efficient and modern infrastructure in order to compete in the then-emerging global market. He was ahead of his time. Governor Waller was a fair man, and he was a man of courage. He made Mississippi a better place with his service. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Waller family, and we thank them for the legacy that Governor Waller has left for us all. He will be missed.”

Here is the press release concerning his death, life, and arrangements from the Mississippi Supreme Court:
"Former Mississippi Governor Bill Waller, 85, of Jackson, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, at St. Dominc Hospital after a short illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December, 3, 2011, at First Baptist Church Jackson. Visitation will be at the New Capitol from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. His body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

Gov. Waller began his public service career in 1960 as District Attorney for the Seventh Judicial District, which then included Hinds, Madison, and Yazoo counties. As District Attorney, he is best remembered for his prosecution of Byron de la Beckwith for the June 12, 1963, murder of Medgar Evers. This was the first civil rights murder prosecution in Mississippi. Though the prosecution by Waller ended in two mistrials, the trial testimony of almost 60 witnesses and the introduction of more than 50 pieces of evidence were preserved. The trial transcript was crucial in the 1994 prosecution and conviction of Beckwith.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. said his father’s prosecution of Beckwith inspired him to pursue a legal career. The prosecution of Beckwith “was a watershed event that moved Mississippi toward equal treatment of all people,” Chief Justice Waller said.

Waller served as Governor from 1972 to 1976. His gubernatorial campaign went against the entrenched establishment, which he referred to as the “Capital Street Gang,” and segregationist policies. He vetoed funding for the State Sovereignty Commission, ending state support for the segregationist spy agency.

Eddy Waller said his father’s motto for Mississippi was “The state of change.”

Gov. Waller was the first Mississippi governor to appoint African Americans to key positions within state government. His appointees included Jim Rundles, Dr. Vernon Holmes, Ed Cole and John Cameron, among others.

Higher education and transportation saw significant advances under his leadership. He laid the groundwork for the development of a four-lane highway system. He also attempted to develop foreign trade.

Under his leadership, schools of architecture and veterinary medicine were created at Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi Dental School was formed and the University of Southern Mississippi polymer science program was created. Colleges became universities: Delta State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi University for Women. Teacher salaries were increased. He took the first steps toward an appointed state Superintendent of Education with the appointment of Dr. Milton Baxter.

Gov. Waller entered private law practice in 1950 in Jackson. He became the senior partner in Waller, Pritchard and Fox and later, Waller and Waller Attorneys. He returned to private law practice after his term as governor, and continued representing clients until his death. He practiced law for 61 years.

Attorney Bob Waller said of his father, “He enjoyed representing the underdog and helping people receive legal representation.”

“He liked to help people,” said Don Waller, his son.
He was also an entrepreneur, with interests in the oil and gas industry.

Gov. Waller was born in Oxford, Mississippi, on October 21, 1926, to Percy Andreth Waller and Myrtle Gatewood Waller of the Burgess Community of Lafayette County, Mississippi. He graduated from University High School in Oxford, the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi School of Law. He served in the United States Army Intelligence Corps during the Korean War.

Governor Waller was a faithful deacon and member of First Baptist Church Jackson for more than 60 years, and he was a member of the Fishers of Men Sunday School Class. He was a founding member of the Friends of Alcoholics.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carroll Overton Waller, four sons and 14 grandchildren. His children and grandchildren include: Chief Justice William L. Waller, Jr., and his wife, Charlotte, of Jackson, and their three children, Dr. William L. Waller, III, Jeannie Waller and Clayton Waller; Robert O. Waller and his wife, Margaret, of Jackson, and their six children, Joy Waller, Robert O. Waller, Jr., Madeline Waller, Millie Waller, Ava Burton Waller and Maggie Waller; Edward C. Waller, and his wife, Bae, of Jackson, and their two daughters, Emma Carroll Waller and Dannie Waller; Donald E. Waller and his wife, Yonnie, of Jackson, and their three children, Anne Overton Waller, Lucy Waller and Don Waller, Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Emma Winter Waller, his beloved daughter, Gloria Joy Waller, and his sister, Mildred Waller Burtschell.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Fishers of Men Sunday School Class, Deacons of First Baptist Church Jackson, former members of Governor Waller’s administration, the Weaver Gore Coffee Club, former law partners, and the Tomato Sandwich Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Gloria Joy Waller Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College."