Senate Concurrent Resolution 556

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER BROOKHAVEN MAYOR BILL GODBOLD, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, former Brookhaven, Mississippi, Mayor William Wallace "Bill" Godbold, who died September 11, 2010, was remembered as a straightforward and colorful leader during his combined more than 20 years as the city's top elected official; and

WHEREAS, Godbold, whose parents also served as Mayor, was Mayor from 1965-1973, 1985-1993, and from 1997 until 2004, when he left office; and

WHEREAS, "You always knew where you stood with Mayor Godbold," said current Mayor Les Bumgarner, who was Alderman at large during Godbold's final term in office. "There will never be another one like him"; and

WHEREAS, one of Godbold's last projects as Mayor was the city's multimodal transportation facility. The still-under construction facility has been named for the Godbold family; and

WHEREAS, he was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven and was a United States Navy Veteran of World War II; and

WHEREAS, preceding him in death were his parents and his stepchildren; Fred "Butch" Melton and Sandy Melton. Survivors are his wife, Linda Case Godbold; his son, Hugh Beacham Godbold; his daughters, Betty Godbold Conerly, Stacy Godbold Price Fressell and Georgia Godbold McGee; his stepsons, Kelly Melton and Kevin Melton; his grandchildren, Gabriel Godbold, Summer Price Moore, Hooper Glynn Price, Alex Godbold, Stormie Alexis Godbold, Shelby Dare McGee, Forrest McGee and Brendan Melton; and his great-grandchild, Vander Wallace Moore; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected Mississippi public servant and veteran who was a great leader for the City of Brookhaven:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life of public service of former Brookhaven, Mississippi, Mayor William Wallace "Bill" Godbold and express to his surviving family our sympathy on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mayor Godbold, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Brookhaven, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.