Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Parkway Memorial Funeral Home in Ridgeland for William Franklin “Bill” Hankins, 86, who died on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. It was very fitting at the end of the service when the Mississippi State University fight song was played.
William was born on March 2, 1938, in Grenada, the son of the late Ruby Evelyn Crawford and the late William Bilbo Hankins. He graduated from Greenwood High School and became a proud Bulldog of Mississippi State University. He was a member of “Pike” fraternity and graduated with a degree in business.
In 1962, William married his partner for life and love of his life, Sarah Glynn McPherson Hankins. They moved to Greenwood where their two sons — William Jr. (1966) and David (1967) — were born. William worked for Greenwood utilities until 1969, when the family moved to Jackson and he started working for MP&L in industrial development. In 1974, he was hired by Deposit Guaranty Bank and soon started the industrial development department, which began a nearly 20-year banking career.
In 1974, the Hankins family welcomed their daughter, Amanda Marie, and then their family was complete. In 2003, William started a real estate career in commercial real estate. This continued until his passing. As with all of his careers, he also succeeded in real estate. We believe this was the most enjoyable for him.
During his later years, William enjoyed dancing at his granddaughter, Mary Heather’s, wedding to C.J. Fountain as well as them welcoming their precious son — his great grandson — Oliver Alexander (Ollie). Next came his youngest granddaughter, Natalie Maire’s, wedding to Caleb Mooney. The reception was at Bill and Glynn’s home in a “hurricane.” What a fun time! Then came the birth of their son — another great grandson — Robert Colson Mooney. My how their family has grown.
Some of William “Bill” Hankins’ accomplishments and earlier career experiences include, manager of Area and Industrial Development at MP&L (Entergy), director of Economic Development and National Accounts for Mississippi’s largest financial institution, president and chairman of the board for the Bank of Jackson, chief administrative officer and chairman of the executive committee of one of Mississippi’s largest banks, owner and managing director of an advanced cellular technology group that was a pioneer in broadband wireless, vice president and general manager of WorldCom Broadband Wireless Data and Video Services, chairman for the office of the Governor’s Economic Development Division, service to the State of Mississippi under two previous administrations, Certified Industrial Developer National #304 for the Mississippi Industrial Development Council, past president/board member for the Southern Industrial Development Research Council, chairman of the State of Mississippi Institutions and officer of the Learning Economic Development and Academic Task Force.
William was also a State of Mississippi representative and participant in the White House Conference on National Balanced Growth and Economic Development, participant/representative for the United States of Mississippi Foreign trade missions — Soviet Union, China, Japan, Taiwan and others, was an American Industrial Development Council past board member, past member of the President’s Advisory Council at Mississippi State University and Federal Financial Institution Examination Council — National Bank Examiner’s Convention, guest speaker on Strategic and Contingency Plan Development and past president and director of the Money in Mississippi Association. He was also a participant and had hands-on involvement in the successful location of major industrial facilities including General Motors, Siemans, International Motors, GE, Walker MFG, United Parcel, Milwaukee Tool, Dover Elevator, Lowe’s Distribution, Frito Lay, Western Auto, Nissan, International Paper and more.
William was also a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club (705), Christ United Church since 1970, chaired the United Negro College Fund and other charity organizations and had membership in the Jackson Mississippi and National Association of Realtors as well as the Mississippi Commercial Association of Realtors Realtor Land Institute when Bill entered the commercial industrial real estate industry before he rose to the top of his profession. He was also president of the statewide commercial association of Realtors and their Realtor of the Year — Bill’s empathy effort on behalf of his clients and dedication to the betterment of the Mississippi Realtor Association was well known as he was particularly proud of being the co-founder of the Mississippi Commercial Real Estate Exchange website that will benefit brokers, salespeople and the general public for years to come.
In addition to his parents, his precious eldest son, William Jr., preceded William in death.
Survivors include, his wife, Sarah Glynn; son, David; daughter, Mandy; grandchildren, Mary Heather Hankins Fountain (C.J.), Natalie Marie Mooney (Caleb), Ford Kirk and Holden Von Seutter Hankins, and great grandchildren, Oliver Alexander Fountain and Robert Colson Mooney.
William was a big hearted, kind, loving man that helped many in their careers and business deals. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com
Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland was in charge of arrangements.
