John Espey

Funeral services for JW Espey will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Webb & Stephens – North, with Bro. Ben Simpson officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m-2:00 p.m. A private burial will take place at a later date. Webb & Stephens – North is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Espey, age 89, passed away May 11, 2023, at Trend Health and Rehab Facility.

JW was a retired Lead Lineman for the Mississippi Power Company, where he served the community for 41 years.  Other interests he had was being involved in REACT (Lauderdale County Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Team), where he served as President, and was honored to have been named the Lauderdale Co. REACT Man of the Year.  He was on the Board of Directors for many years of NTS Water Association.  He was a perpetual member of the Grand Lodge Masons and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Hamasa Shriner.  He was an IBEW member for 64 years and was a Mississippi Civil Defense Member.  JW's proudest accomplishments included receiving a BS degree from the Air Force Academy and serving in the Air Force 363 D Motor Vehicle Squadron from 1951-1955 during the Korean War.  During this time, he earned the National Defense Service Medal.

He loved carpentry, riding his CAN AM Spyder Motorcycle, and spending time in the woods fishing and hunting.  JW was loved by many and treasured by his family.  He believed in taking care of others and for being your brother’s keeper.  He was very smart and was loved and appreciated for his wit and larger than life personality.  JW did life his way and all those that witnessed his journey admired his strength and never giving up attitude.

JW is survived by his daughter, Shellye Espey and her husband, David Brown and his nephew, Paul A. Wallace, Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years, Carolyn Skinner Espey; daughter, Sheila C. Espey; brother, Welmer Espey; three half-sisters, and parents, Fred B. and Maggie Grace (Pope) Espey.

Pallbearers will be Craig Johnson, Thomas Donald, Billy Touchstone, Jacob Touchstone and Bryan Boatner. Paul A. Wallace will serve as honorary pallbearer.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at webbstephens.com.