William "Bud" Milton Singletary

William Milton (Bud) Singletary, 97, of Florence, went into the arms of his Savior on December 7, 2023.  He passed away at Summerhouse, Beau Ridge in Ridgeland, MS, where he had been a resident in the Dementia Unit since March of this year.  He died of natural causes.

Bud was born and raised in Florence, MS but moved to Jackson when his father, Milton Singletary of Florence, (twenty-year supervisor of Rankin Co.) joined the CB’s in World War II.  His mother, Miss Lucy Singletary of Florence, moved to Jackson with her three children and lived on Longino St. 

After Bud graduated from Central High School in May, he was inducted into the Navy on June 15, 1944.  His duty area was the Pacific where he was stationed in Manila.  He was awarded the Victory ribbon upon the Philippine Liberation.  According to Bud, he was sea sick everyday of his service except when the Japanese attacked his ship.  During the attacks, he definitely had his mind on other things. 

His ship, the USS Register, rescued survivors from the USS Indianapolis.  The Indianapolis was on her way to join other surface forces after delivering her “top secret” cargo (the first nuclear bomb) to scientists on Tinian when it was struck by two Japanese torpedoes.  According to a National WWII Museum article, “The Indianapolis went down in a mere 12 minutes, bringing nearly 300 of her crew down with her.  As she disappeared beneath the waves, 900 of the ship’s crew floated in the Pacific, their location and fate unknown to the US Navy.”

Another incident of note when Bud was on the USS Register was when a Kamikaze crashed into the side of the ship.  All crew members were given a piece of metal punched out from the plane as a memento of the event.

Before entering the service, Bud had met the “girl next door” who was supposedly searching for her cat, Rosebud.  He and Jean Everett corresponded during the war and they were married on January 25, 1947, about 6 months after his honorable discharge from the Navy.

He worked for Mississippi School Supply and went to radio school as part of his training to sell the equipment. He had a penchant for figuring out how equipment worked and founded Authorized Appliance Service where he was owner and chief technician.  Jean left her job as Secretary to Dr. Kirby Walker, Superintendent of  the Jackson Public Schools, to become a full-time bookkeeper for the fledgling business.  Bud also invested in appliance parts businesses in Mississippi and neighboring states. 

In 1971, the couple returned to the family acreage in Florence and built their own home, becoming an active part of the community and Marvin United Methodist Church.  Bud and Jean retired in 1991 and Bud, never one to sit idly by, began the Farming Phase of his life.  The gardens he produced could be numbered in 10’s of acres at his prime.  He loved the joy of planting seeds and watching crops grow to harvest.  However, this was to the chagrin of Jean, who was charged with washing, shelling and canning all the bounty.  Even after Bud could no longer work the massive garden, he allowed members of the community to come and grow their own crops in his fertile fields.

Bud’s work ethic was exceeded only by his love of his family.  Being a man of the Great Depression and the Greatest Generation, he was reticent of showing his feelings.  However, retirement mellowed him considerably and it was impossible to leave him in his later years without Bud telling his family that he loved them and hearing the same in return.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Lucy Tucker Singletary, and his sister, Dorothy S. Holmes.  He lost his beloved wife of 61 years, Jean, in 2008.  His brother, Rev. Bert Singletary lives near Dallas, Texas with his wife and children.

All five of Bud’s children survived him:  Linda S Davis, of Ridgeland, William M. Singletary, Jr. (Donna) of Madison, Becky S Hines, of Florence, Homer E. Singletary (Danni/Donna) of Florence and David R. Singletary, of Florence.  He is survived by his grandchildren:  James J (Tripp) Davis, III (Jessica) of Ridgeland, Laurie S Mohon (Brian) of Madison, Adrienne Rainer (Eric), Jennifer Mitchell (Corey), Elizabeth Gray (Daniel) all of Florence, Andy Singletary (Ashley) of Brandon and Griffin Singletary of Paragould, AR.  His grandsons and grandsons-in-law in the metro area will serve as pall bearers.  He has 12 great-grandchildren with nieces and nephews who love him as well.  We miss you, Papa.

Visitation will be at Chancellor Funeral Home, 2576 US Hwy 49, Florence, MS on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 10:00–12:00.  The funeral will be held in the Chancellor Chapel at noon with Rev. B. B. Watson officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marvin United Methodist Church, 211 N. Church St., Florence, MS 39073.