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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Sparks, England
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 127
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM THURMAN EPPS, 1
WORLD WAR II VETERAN FROM GOLDEN, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE 2
CELEBRATION 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 on a farm in Mississippi, 12
the attention of the Epps family was occupied with welcoming 13
William Thurman Epps to the world; and 14
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps, the third born 15
of seven children, is celebrating the most auspicious occasion of 16
the 100th anniversary of his birth on July 12, 2026, reflecting on 17
a century's worth of life experiences - from the lessons he 18
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learned in his steady work on the family farm to his years of 19
distinguished military service in the United States Army; and 20
WHEREAS, known to all as Thurman, Staff Sergeant Epps spent 21
his early life balancing grammar school with his work on his 22
family's farm, and he was raised on the fundamental values of 23
resilience, patience and responsibility, dedicating his time 24
entirely to the farm after completing the eighth grade; and 25
WHEREAS, in the midst of America's efforts fighting alongside 26
the Allied Powers in World War II, Staff Sergeant Epps received 27
his "Greetings" letter from the President of the United States 28
when he turned 18. As a young farm boy who had never been outside 29
of Tishomingo County, he was called to serve his country in the 30
United States Army, and he entered into service at Camp Shelby in 31
October of 1944, ready to defend his nation with patriotism and 32
courage; and 33
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Epps served in Nuremberg and 34
displayed extraordinary leadership throughout his time in the 35
Army, rising quickly through the ranks to his ultimate station as 36
Staff Sergeant. He was placed in charge of a platoon of men 37
assigned to guard German prisoners, tasked with carrying German 38
soldiers for trial and supervising the platoon while doing work 39
details; and 40
WHEREAS, though he has remained remarkably humble about his 41
service, stating he did not see "anything but enough," Staff 42
Sergeant Epps's brave service was recognized with multiple medals, 43
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including the Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal 44
and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; and 45
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Epps was honorably discharged from 46
the Army in 1947, and after completing his service, he returned to 47
Dennis, Mississippi, to tend to the family farm; and 48
WHEREAS, after selling the farm, Staff Sergeant Epps was 49
employed at Blue Bell Manufacturing until the time of his 50
retirement, and with the company of his beloved wife, Nita, he 51
settled into the routine of his simple way of life at their home 52
in Golden, Mississippi, enjoying his beautiful garden, raising 53
chickens, and keeping both the property and the household in 54
immaculate condition; and 55
WHEREAS, it has been nearly 10 years since Staff Sergeant 56
Epps last had a garden, but even today, he still enjoys being 57
outside in the fresh air and mowing his yard; and 58
WHEREAS, a man of hard work, integrity and independence, 59
Staff Sergeant Epps has forged a legacy of quiet strength and 60
determined responsibility over the last 100 years, and he has 61
generously shared his wisdom after discovering the secret for a 62
long, happy life - a daily helping of veggies, a well-tended 63
schedule, and a body in motion; and 64
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we honor a member of 65
America's Greatest Generation: 66
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 67
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize World War II Veteran 68
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ST: Recognize WWII Veteran Staff Sergeant
William Thurman Epps and congratulate upon the
occasion of his 100th birthday.
Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps of Golden, Mississippi, on the 69
auspicious and blessed occasion of his 100th birthday, and extend 70
the best wishes of the Senate for his continued health, happiness 71
and wellness in the years to come. 72
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 73
presented to Staff Sergeant William Thurman Epps and made 74
available to the Capitol Press Corps. 75