William Winford Hudson, 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Sanctuary Hospice House. Winford was born in Pinedale, Mississippi on October 18, 1925 to Bertha Graham Hudson and William Hubert Hudson. He joined the U. S. Army at the age of l9 and served in the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. He married the love of his life, Elaine Gullett Hudson from New Albany on Sept. 18, l949. They had three children, Regina, Mark and Blake. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on September 18, 2016. He retired from South Central Bell Telephone Company after a career of 40 years.
Winford was a long time member of the Wesley United Methodist Church where he served as lay leader, sang in the choir and taught numerous Sunday School classes. He was selected as Man of the year in 2009 by the Wesley Methodist Men’s Club. Winford led by example and welcomed the opportunity to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to those in need.
Winford loved family gatherings, all sports and was an avid Mississippi State fan. He was an exceptional gardener and he and his wife Elaine always grew enough tomatoes, turnip greens, and other vegetables to share with others.
A walk with PawPaw (Winford) was a lesson in nature. He always watched after his bluebirds and attracted so many to their property it was called Blue Bird Knoll. He had a passion for the outdoors and shared his love of fishing and hiking with his grandchildren and his great-grands.
Our family was blessed to have shared 91 wonderful years with this humble man. We would like to say a special thank you to Wesley United Methodist Church members, Traceway Senior Retirement staff and neighbors, Sanctuary Hospice House, and all the many friends, family, and healthcare providers who made his life a wonderful journey.
Services will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Roger Puhr and Rev. Bryan Collier officiating. A committal service will follow in Vista Memorial Park in new Albany. Visitation will be held at Holland Funeral Directors- Tupelo Chapel on Sunday, November 20, 2016 from 3 PM-6PM. Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net Holland-Tupelo Chapel is honored to be serving their friends.
Pallbearers will be Curtis Dean Burchfield, Tim Broom, Ronnie Steel, Mike Graham, Robert Michael Birrenkott, Jr., William Bradley Birrenkott, and Nathan Winford Hudson. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of his Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School.
Those Winford loved the most who survive him include his wife, Elaine Gullett Hudson; his daughter, Regina Hudson Birrenkott (Bob) from Tampa, FL. two sons, William Mark Hudson of Memphis, TN and Winford Blake Hudson (Karla) of Knoxville, TN; seven grandchildren, Robert Michael Birrenkott, Jr., William Bradley Birrenkott, Ashley Elaine Hudson, Lindsey Nicole Hudson, Nathan Winford Hudson, Courtney Elizabeth Hudson, Maggie Alyssa Hudson; two great-grandchildren, Bailey Elaine Birrenkott and Mackenzie June Birrenkott, one niece, Melba Sneed Applewhite (Henry); two nephews, Curtis Dean Burchfield (Reta) and Tim Broom (Melissa) and many wonderful cousins and friends.
Winford was preceeded in death by his parents, two sisters Lavern Hudson Burchfield (Curtis) and Mildred Hudson Sneed (Bruce) and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church , P.O. Box 2434, Tupelo, MS. 38803. Condolences and special memories of Winford may be offered at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
