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Minor - ‘a great public servant’
• Transportation commissioner dies from heart attack at age 68 By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer  | Photo by Sue Watson
A proud commissioner
Bill Minor (right) gives remarks two weeks ago during the opening of the north Holly Springs bypass. |
Across
the state Monday morning people expressed shock as news spread of the
death of Bill Minor, transportation commissioner for the northern
district of Mississippi since 2003. Minor, of
Holly Springs, was rushed to the Biloxi Regional Hospital around 8 a.m.
November 1 – where he was pronounced dead of an apparent heart attack
at 9:15 a.m. He was on the coast attending a national transportation
conference. His passing was announced around 9:30
a.m. in the Marshall County Board of Supervisors meeting by a long-time
childhood companion, Sheriff Kenny Dickerson, who attended Hickory Flat
School with Minor and his brother Ray, and who all three played ball
together. Dickerson said Minor was “almost like a brother.” “It
is a tremendous shock and loss,” Dickerson said. “He is like a member
of the family. His word was his bond, and if he told you he would do
something, you could take it to the bank.” Bill
and Ray Minor were raised by extremely hard-working parents, the late
Erline and Gene Minor, like the Dickerson children were raised. “I
am deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of Northern District
Transportation Commissioner Bill Minor,” said Sen. Bill Stone of
Ashland. “Commissioner Minor was a great public servant and will be
sorely missed in Benton and Marshall counties, as well as the entire
State of Mississippi.” Supervisors took a moment to express their sympathies as well. “It’s
sad to hear about Bill, a good friend,” said Ronnie Joe Bennett. “I’ve
known him all my life. He was a great asset to Marshall County and
North Mississippi. I am going to miss him personally.” Eddie Dixon said he is losing a “long-time friend.” “He will be dearly missed,” said Dixon. “He was helping us on the Highway 72 four-laning project.”  | | Bill Minor |
Minor
was both a business friend and a personal friend to chancery clerk
Chuck Thomas. He enjoyed good personal business relations with Minor
Brothers Hardware. “They have never turned us down for any reason,” he said. George Zinn III echoed Thomas’ remarks. “I’ve
known Bill for many, many years,” said Zinn. “We had worked for him. He
proved himself to be truly dedicated to his job, always taking calls or
returning calls. I will always remember him by his dedication. The
service he provided for Marshall County will truly be missed.” A
long-time associate, Willie Flemon, said he had known the Minor
brothers before they built their business and before Minor became an
elected official. “My deepest sympathy to his family,” said Flemon. Zoning
director Conway Moore, who said she has known both Bill Minor and his
brother Ray since she was 10, remembered the friendly way the
commissioner treated everyone. “He would be
talking to someone and he would make eye contact and he would raise his
hand and wave,” she said. “This is a bad blow to our county as well as
the other counties he represents. I hope we can find someone to fill
his shoes.” Gary Anderson, consultant to the
board of supervisors, remarked about the way Minor has helped the
region plan for infrastructure needs for the county and area. “He
helped bring the four-lane highway program of 1987, as senator,”
Anderson said. “Mr. Minor has been a good leader of our state, both as
a state senator and as a highway commissioner. Marshall County lost a
very good friend.” Mary Minor, a friend and former wife of the commissioner, patched together some history of Bill Minor as she remembered him. Minor
ran for chancery clerk and for state representative before he was
elected to the Mississippi Senate in the late 1970s, where he served 20
years before running for the highway commissioner’s position. Minor
started out in business in Potts Camp in 1965 and moved his business to
Holly Springs, then located his heating and air business out on Highway
7 North. The partners expanded Minor Brothers Hardware to Olive Branch
and then to Hernando, but later sold the Hernando business. “He
started in plumbing and electric and then added appliances and then did
heating and air in the Tri-State area (Mississippi, Tennessee,
Arkansas),” she said. He was born October 16, 1942, and just celebrated his 68th birthday. On a personal note, the commissioner’s former wife spoke of his personal commitment to what he loved. “Whatever
he aspired to do, he put his whole self into it,” she said. “Whatever
he believed in, he stood up for. He loved politics. I was always happy
he was able to achieve his ambitions. He had a good nature about him.” Minor,
who had a prior stroke while serving as state senator, was a big
Mississippi State fan, she said. He attended Hickory Flat School and
Northwest Community College, then worked in a factory for a short time
before he went into business for himself. Minor has a half brother, Glen Bounds. An
avid ball player, Minor organized, managed and played on independent
ball teams for several years after high school, playing teams in
Memphis and in the cow pastures of Lamar, Mary Minor said. “He loved his sports,” she said. |
