William "Bill" M. Newsome, Jr.

William “Bill” M. Newsome, Jr., 91, of Phenix City, AL passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the Columbus Hospice House in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm EST Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Vance Memorial Chapel in Phenix City with Dr. Jimmy Elder officiating and Rev. Ralph Henderson officiating.  Interment with Masonic Rites will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens.  The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST, one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Newsome was born June 30, 1925 in Phenix City, AL to William M. Newsome, Sr. and Clara Mae Tyner Newsome. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Myron Horne Newsome.  He was retired from the US Postal Service and was a United States Navy Veteran serving during WWII.  He served as Grand Steward with Wilson-Williams Masonic Lodge 351 for over 60 years, also served as Grand High Priest in 1988, York Rite, and Grand Lustrous Master of York Rite 1980, the Grand Commander of the Knight’s Temple of 1976, and joined York Rite in 1948 to present.  He was member of Scottish Rite KEECH Knight Court of Honor 1993 – 1994, Alcazar Temple member for over 50 years Shriners.  He was member of Holy Knights Temple of Priest for over 40 years, York Rite College (Head), Red Cross Constantine (Head in 1976), and Head of KYCH in 1968.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbus, GA where he served as deacon and honorary deacon.  At the age of 21 he began his deacon ministry at West Side Baptist/Lakewood Baptist Church of Phenix City, Al.  He had the honor to formally serve various offices within those churches. 

He is survived by one brother, Jesse Herman Newsome and wife Bertha of Honolula, HI, nephew, Claborn Newsome and family of Vallejo, California, niece, Karen Newsome, godchildren, Sherry Scroggins and husband Melvin, and Chris Bankston and wife Jan, all of Phenix City, AL, and numerous cousins and friends

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all personnel of The Gardens at Calvary for the loving care shown to him during his four years of residency there.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gardens at Calvary, 7595 Moon Road, Columbus, GA  31909, Knights Temple Eye Foundation, or the Television Ministry of First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 828, Columbus, Ga. 31902.  Online condolences may be made www.vancememorialchapel.net