William Thomas Humphreys, age 83, and a longtime resident of Newton, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026 at his residence.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am and continue to the service hour on Friday, May 01, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Newton.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Newton. Dr. Brian Rushing and Rev. Chris Spence will officiate.

Burial will follow at Lawrence Cemetery under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.

Mr. Humphreys was born in Newton County and a graduate of Newton High School (1961). He attended East Central Junior College on a football scholarship and then joined the Mississippi Army National Guard, where he served six years. He married Sylvia Jones on July 23, 1966, and to this union were born two children. He served Mississippi Power Company and Southern Pine Electric Company for a total of 46 years, combined. When he worked for Mississippi Power, he had the distinguished honor of receiving the Mississippi Power Employee of the Year, being the youngest recipient of this award, to date. Mr. Humphreys was a Christian by faith and a member of First Baptist Church of Newton, where he served on several committees. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, first and foremost, with his friends, also quail hunting, and training bird dogs in his early years. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Scott Humphreys; his parents, James L. “Sonny Boy” and Melba Loper Humphreys; one brother, Benny Lamar Humphreys and two sisters, Barbara Haralson and Mary Everett.

Survivors include his wife of almost 60 years, Sylvia Jones Humphreys of Newton; one daughter, Amy McGee of Union; daughter-in-law, Shellie Humphreys Wyatt (Jimmy); grandchildren, Josh McGee, Gracie Humphreys Hollingsworth (Colby), and Mallory McGee; two brothers: Jimmy Dale Humphreys (Voncille) of Moselle and Jerry Humphreys (Betty Jo) of Lawrence; a host of nieces and nephews survive.

Pallbearers will be Chad Lewis, Andy Rowzee, Will McMillan, Joel Nelson, Mike Strebeck, and Jimmy Wyatt.

Honorary pallbearers will be William Emmons, Dean Russell, and Benny Nelson, and the Yokefellows Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church. 

Memorial donations may be made to Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village and Family Ministries, P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060 or to the Gideon's International, Inc., Newton Camp, P.O. Box 297, Newton, MS 39345.