William Clarence Buie

William Clarence Buie, II, 91, of Mexia, passed away on December 20, 2020, at Parkview Regional Hospital. Due to COVID and traveling restrictions, there will be no funeral at this time, but a memorial service will be planned for a later date.

William “Sonny” was born on June 5, 1929, in Bogue Chitto, MS, to William Clarence Buie, Sr. and Ira Lee (Burt) Buie. He grew up in Natchez, MS, where he went to school and church with Norma Jean Wyatt since second grade. Little did either of them know that God had a plan for them to marry in 1950 and have 59 beautiful years together until her death in 2009.

Sonny surrendered to the ministry at the age of 12, was ordained a deacon at 14, and then ordained a minister in his church at the age of 18. He went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at Mississippi College, a Master of Divinity from seminary, a Master’s degree in art from the University of Texas in Austin, as well as an Honorary Doctorate from UT-Austin for art. He was a trailblazer as he stood on the tarmac at the Albuquerque airport waiting to welcome the first Vietnamese refugee family in the state of New Mexico into our home after the war in 1975. He then turned his passion to all those on the Indian reservation who needed to know Jesus and his mission wasn’t over until he could reach every one.

But other than the fishing and the wood carving and the painting and all the other hobbies that he loved; he had a greater passion: FAMILY. He loved every one of his children and grandchildren wholeheartedly. He laughed with a jiggle in his belly as he would tell his stories of his dog Jigger or his bedtime story about the big toe. He was always the most worried and hurt when his kids were worried and hurt. He was patient, kind, humble, honest, forgiving, faithful, and selfless. He was the perfect example of a loving and faithful husband. He was the best father a kid could ever ask for.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Clarence & Ira Lee Buie; his wife, Norma Jean Buie; his sister, Juanita Rainey; his two brothers, Jewel Lee Burt and Robert Earl Buie; his daughter Becky Lynn Zerbe and her husband William; and his granddaughter, Bonnie Jean Marcum.

He is survived by one brother, James “Red” Buie of Clinton, MS, as well as his children Deborah Ferguson of Keller, TX; Billie Jean Marcum and her husband, James, of Mexia, TX; William Clarence Buie, III and his wife, Angela, of Gallup, NM; and Amanda Ruby McCain and her husband, James, of North Richland Hills, TX. He had 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 9 great great grandchildren.

Sonny has had an amazing life and when the time is right, we will invite you to join us to celebrate him with a memorial service. If you feel that you would like to make a donation in our father’s honor, The Gideons International society was always very close to his heart.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Clarence Buie, please visit our floral store.