JACKSON – Former Mississippi Gov. William Waller Sr., who as a district attorney twice unsuccessfully prosecuted the man eventually convicted of killing civil rights leader Medgar Evers, has died. He was 85.
Waller, known to friends and family as “Bill”, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, at St. Dominc Hospital in Jackson after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at First Baptist Church Jackson and visitation will be at the New Capitol from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
State officials said his body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.
Waller was born in Oxford, Mississippi, on Oct. 21, 1926, to Percy Andreth Waller and Myrtle Gatewood Waller of the Burgess Community of Lafayette County, Mississippi. He graduated from University High School in Oxford, the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi School of Law. He served in the United States Army Intelligence Corps during the Korean War.
Waller began his public service career in 1960 as District Attorney for the Seventh Judicial District, which then included Hinds, Madison, and Yazoo counties. As District Attorney, he is best remembered for his prosecution of Byron de la Beckwith for the June 12, 1963, murder of Medgar Evers.
This was the first civil rights murder prosecution in the state of Mississippi.
Though the prosecution by Waller ended in two mistrials, the trial testimony of almost 60 witnesses and the introduction of more than 50 pieces of evidence were preserved. The trial transcript was crucial in 1994 when prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter, using the same physical evidence Waller used, was able to secure a guilty verdict when blacks were able to serve on the jury.
Beckwith was sentenced to life in prison and died on Jan. 21, 2001 at the age of 80.
Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice William “Bill” Waller Jr. said his father’s prosecution of Beckwith inspired him to pursue a legal career. The prosecution of Beckwith “was a watershed event that moved Mississippi toward equal treatment of all people,” Chief Justice Waller said.
A Democrat, the elder Waller served as governor from 1972-76 – a time when Mississippi governors were limited to one term.
Waller ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1967 but turned things around in 1971 when in a twist of irony, he defeated Medgar Evers’ older brother, Charles, for Mississippi’s highest seat.
Waller’s gubernatorial campaign went against the entrenched establishment, which he referred to as the “Capital Street Gang,” and segregationist policies. He vetoed funding for the State Sovereignty Commission, ending state support for the segregationist spy agency.
Eddy Waller said his father’s motto for Mississippi was “The state of change.”
Waller was the first Mississippi governor to appoint African Americans to key positions within state government. His appointees included Jim Rundles, Dr. Vernon Holmes, Ed Cole and John Cameron, among others.
Higher education and transportation saw significant advances under his leadership. He laid the groundwork for the development of a four-lane highway system and he also attempted to develop foreign trade.
Under his leadership, schools of architecture and veterinary medicine were created at Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi Dental School was formed and the University of Southern Mississippi polymer science program was created. Colleges became universities: Delta State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi University for Women. Teacher salaries were increased and Waller took the first steps toward an appointed state Superintendent of Education with the appointment of Dr. Milton Baxter.
Waller began a private law practice in 1950 in Jackson and became the senior partner in Waller, Pritchard and Fox and later, Waller and Waller Attorneys. He returned to private law practice after his term as governor, and continued representing clients until his death. He practiced law for 61 years.
Attorney Bob Waller said of his father, “He enjoyed representing the underdog and helping people receive legal representation.”
“He liked to help people,” said Don Waller, his son.
Waller was also an entrepreneur, with interests in the oil and gas industry.
Waller was a faithful deacon and member of First Baptist Church Jackson for more than 60 years, and he was a member of the Fishers of Men Sunday School Class. He was a founding member of the Friends of Alcoholics.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carroll Overton Waller, four sons and 14 grandchildren. His children and grandchildren include: Chief Justice William L. Waller, Jr., and his wife, Charlotte, of Jackson, and their three children, Dr. William L. Waller, III, Jeannie Waller and Clayton Waller; Robert O. Waller and his wife, Margaret, of Jackson, and their six children, Joy Waller, Robert O. Waller, Jr., Madeline Waller, Millie Waller, Ava Burton Waller and Maggie Waller; Edward C. Waller, and his wife, Bae, of Jackson, and their two daughters, Emma Carroll Waller and Dannie Waller; Donald E. Waller and his wife, Yonnie, of Jackson, and their three children, Anne Overton Waller, Lucy Waller and Don Waller, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Emma Winter Waller, his beloved daughter, Gloria Joy Waller, and his sister, Mildred Waller Burtschell.
Honorary pallbearers are members of the Fishers of Men Sunday School Class, Deacons of First Baptist Church Jackson, former members of Governor Waller’s administration, the Weaver Gore Coffee Club, former law partners, and the Tomato Sandwich Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Gloria Joy Waller Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College.
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