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H. R. No. 159 *HR43/R2759* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Bell (21st)
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 159
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STAFF SERGEANT 1
WILLIAM THURMAN EPPS, A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, UPON THE CELEBRATION 2
OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY. 3
WHEREAS, on July 12, 1926, the United States of America had 4
just celebrated its Sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of its 5
founding, hosted in Philadelphia; President Calvin Coolidge was 6
leading the country through a period of political unrest across 7
the globe; Hollywood was still dominated by silent film stars; 8
electricity was decades away from rural Mississippi; and 9
mechanized farming remained a fledgling vision in a field of 10
dreams; and 11
WHEREAS, however, on the same day in the City of Golden, 12
Mississippi, the attention of the Epps family was singularly 13
focused on welcoming a bundle of joy by the name of William 14
Thurman Epps to the world, celebrating the precious gift of love 15
and light with which they had just been blessed; and 16
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps, the third born 17
of seven children, is celebrating the most auspicious occasion of 18
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the 100th anniversary of his birth on July 12, 2026, reflecting on 19
a century's worth of life experiences - from the lessons he 20
learned in his steady work on the family farm to his years of 21
distinguished military service in the United States Army; and 22
WHEREAS, known to all as Thurman, Staff Sergeant Epps spent 23
his early life balancing grammar school with his work on his 24
family's farm, and he was raised on the fundamental values of 25
resilience, patience and responsibility, dedicating his time 26
entirely to the farm after completing the eighth grade; and 27
WHEREAS, in the midst of America's efforts fighting alongside 28
the Allied powers in World War II, Staff Sergeant Epps received 29
his "Greetings" letter from the President of the United States 30
when he turned 18, a young farm boy who had never been outside of 31
Tishomingo County called to serve his country in the United States 32
Army, and he entered into service at Camp Shelby in October of 33
1944, ready to defend this great nation with exemplary patriotism 34
and courage; and 35
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Epps served in Nuremberg and 36
displayed extraordinary leadership throughout his time in the 37
Army, rising quickly through the ranks to his ultimate station as 38
Staff Sergeant, and he was placed in charge of a platoon of men 39
assigned to guard German prisoners, tasked with carrying German 40
soldiers for trial and supervising the platoon while doing work 41
details; and 42
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WHEREAS, though he has remained remarkably humble about his 43
service, stating he did not see "anything but enough," Staff 44
Sergeant Epps' brave service was recognized with multiple medals, 45
including the Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal 46
and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; and 47
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Epps was honorably discharged from 48
the Army in 1947, and after completing his service, he returned to 49
Dennis, Mississippi, to tend to the family farm; and 50
WHEREAS, after selling the farm, Staff Sergeant Epps was 51
employed at Blue Bell Manufacturing until the time of his 52
retirement, and with the company of his beloved wife, Nita, he 53
settled into the routine of his simple way of life at their home 54
in Golden, Mississippi, enjoying his beautiful garden, raising 55
chickens, and keeping both the property and the household in 56
immaculate condition; and 57
WHEREAS, it has been nearly 10 years since Staff Sergeant 58
Epps last had a garden, but even today, he still enjoys being 59
outside in the fresh air and mowing his yard; and 60
WHEREAS, a man of hard work, integrity and independence, 61
Staff Sergeant Epps has forged a legacy of quiet strength and 62
determined responsibility over the last 100 years, and he has 63
generously shared his wisdom after discovering the secret for a 64
long, happy life - a daily helping of veggies, a well-tended 65
schedule, and a body in motion; and 66
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ST: Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps;
commend military service and congratulate upon
the occasion of his 100th birthday.
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 67
honor our special Mississippi centenarians, especially those such 68
as Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps, whose selfless military 69
service in World War II has helped to ensure that freedom will 70
continue to ring throughout this country and whose love for his 71
nation and his neighbor exemplify what it means to be an American 72
and a Mississippian: 73
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 74
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 75
commend and congratulate Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps on 76
the auspicious and blessed occasion of his 100th birthday, and 77
wish him continued health, happiness and wellness in the years to 78
come. 79
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 80
furnished to Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps and to the 81
members of the Capitol Press Corps. 82