William Eddings "Bill" Hester

William Eddings "Bill" Hester, 83, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, raised originally in Fountain Hill, Hamburg and Crossett, died Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. He has established residency with Jesus, many family members and friends in his permanent home. Bill was born August 7, 1942 to the union of Roland Eddings Hester and Frances Sparks Hester. He attended formative years of schooling, first through twelfth, all at Fountain Hill School and continued his education at Houston C.C. Lamar University, Sam Houston State University and obtained his B.S. from Clayton University. Bill married Sandra Gough in 1970 and they had two wonderful children they raised in Olla, Louisiana. Bill then married Charlotte A. Fitzgerald in 2001. Bill was a true entrepreneur, he started his first career with the Crossett Lumber Company and held several administrative roles with them resulting in his Accounting and Management positions with the Georgia-Pacific Corporation and later the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, rising to Manager of General Accounting. He then took a job in accounting with Kirby Forest Industries for about four years before moving to Olla, Louisiana as owner of Hester's True Value Home Center. Bill concluded his career in Real Estate and Insurance, retiring as a manager with Transamerica. Bill's interest and hobbies were as varied as his career endeavors. He has been a member of the Methodist denomination for many years and was currently a devoted member of Heritage Church in Hattiesburg. Wherever he called home, Bill also served in the Episcopial and Baptist Churches. He was a dedicated member of the Gideon's International and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and bowling.

Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Sandra Gough Hester; a son, William Brett Hester and his parents, Roland Eddings Hester and Frances Sparks Hester.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Fitzgerald Hester; his daughter, Kristen Hester Derr and her husband, Jacque; three step-sons, Nathan Darby and his wife, Heather, Nicholas Darby and his wife, Marie and Nolan Darby and his wife, Calleigh; a daughter-in-law, Brandy Hester; three sisters, Monah Hankins, Brenda Ferguson and Mary Lassen and her husband, Phil; a brother, Roland Dale Hester and his wife, Cathy; six grandchildren, Blake Hester, Bree Hester Dickey and her husband, Zack, Cole Derr, Sean Derr, Lainey Derr and Cooper Derr; seven step-grandchildren, Berrian Darby, Noel Darby, Ava Darby, Mia Darby, Myles Darby, twins, Marlo & Major Darby and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday May 8, 2026, at the Flat Creek Cemetery with Pastor Jon Eric Tellifero and Bro. Bill Elton officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Blake Hester, Cole Derr, Sean Derr, Nathan Darby, Nicholas Darby and Nolan Darby. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Gideon's International, PO Box 989, West Monroe, LA 71294-0989.