Billy Leroy Grisham was born in Booneville, Mississippi on November 25, 1942. He died on February 15, 2026, having never recovered from a recent debilitating stroke. Ten years ago he was predeceased by the great love of his life, Jan Turner Grisham, whom he married on December 11, 1965 and with whom he had two sons. First, Greg (Sheryl), followed by Britt (April) and they gave him grandchildren, Brittney and Avery. Greg married Sheryl after the untimely passing from cancer of his first wife, Lisa, and is the stepfather of Noah. Bill had two great grandchildren from Brittney and her husband Cody Moore; Hartford Caitlyn Moore and Asher Grisham Moore.

After he graduated from high school in May 1963, Bill entered the United States Navy, and was honorably discharged as a 2nd Class Petty Officer on June 14, 1968. During his Navy years, his intelligence and work ethic caused the Navy to provide extensive training in computer programming. This was the lynchpin for his subsequent decades of employment with Xerox and then Wang Laboratories, where he was the Director of Finance and Administration for the 9 states of the company’s Southern Region until his 1994 retirement. His executive leadership inspired many as he jumpstarted the careers of many. They became his friends and they attributed their successes to him as their careers progressed. Beyond that, Bill was loved, respected and admired for his good works for the companies, and for his caring deeply for those whose lives he touched there. He was known for his being loyal, for his integrity, and for being a man of his word. He was also a fierce advocate for his teams, always fighting the good fight, and with vigor.

This world is a poorer place without Bill Grisham in it but his legacy is all about the lives he changed as he dispensed opportunities, each with a set of challenges that made the beneficiaries better people. He will be sorely missed. From Navy veterans, Bravo Zulu, Bill. And from his family and friends, thank you for being our dad, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Brother-in-law, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend! We will miss you!