William R. "Bill" Fleming, age 78, passed away Tuesday evening, May 19, 2026, at his home in Batesville, MS.

A funeral service to celebrate Bill's life will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, May 24, 2026, in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the family receiving friends beginning at 12:00 P.M. with Rev. John Howell, Jr. officiating. A private family interment will be at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, MS.

Bill was born on January 30, 1948, in Houston, Texas, to Lucy Seale Fleming and Ernest Hill Fleming. He graduated from South Panola High School in 1966. He then earned a business degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1971. He continued his education and graduated from the Jackson School of Law in 1974.

In 1984, after several years of practicing law, he joined Batesville Security Bank, where he helped establish the Trust Department. Bill was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Batesville, Mississippi, where he served as a deacon, a member of the Cross Ministry, and a member of the Sound Committee.

He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Christine Hubbard Fleming; daughter Fisher Fleming; son Will Fleming (Meredith); and grandsons Russel and John Fisher Fleming, all of Batesville.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy Fleming Turner and Ernest Hill Fleming, and by his stepfather, Baker Turner.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Adoration Hospice and Lisa Hawkins for their dedication and support.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Batesville, Mississippi, Samaritan’s Purse, or the Lottie Moon Christmas Fund.