William H. “Billy” Robbins, Sr.
Billy was born in Meridian, Aug. 19, 1929 and passed away Aug. 22, 2023, 3 days after spending his 94th birthday with his family.
Billy attended Mississippi State University, becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Order. In 1952, he received a B.S. in Public Affairs and History and a M.S. in government in 1955. Following 2 years as a Lieutenant in the Air Force, he was commissioned in the US Army 31st Infantry “Dixie” Division where he served as Aide-de-Camp to Major General A.G. Paxton.
Billy was named Alumnus Advisor, Beta Tau, Kappa Alpha Order, selected the lot and organized the campaign to construct the house in 1956. He was later named to the KA Court of Honor and was appointed the first, full time, MSU Alumnus Field Representative in 1956.
Billy was a board member of the MS Historical Society and Chairman of the Board of Beauvoir, the last home of Confederate Pres. Jefferson Davis.
Billy served as Pres. of the Columbus Jaycees and became manager of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. For the next 30 years, he worked for the state of MS in various capacities.
In the early 1970’s, he and his wife Lea, purchased Pemberton’s Headquarters in Vicksburg. Under his ownership, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark.
He is survived by his son, Hal and his wife Susan and granddaughter Annika Robbins of metro Atlanta.
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