11-14-2007
James William (Bill) Barnes died after a short illness on November 14, 2007 at 83 years of age. Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania he was the son of Frank Holman Barnes and Phyllis Godson Barnes Markley, both immigrants from London, England. Bill was a resident of the New Orleans, Louisiana area for most of his life before moving to Jackson, Mississippi in 1984. Bill completed Lusher Grammar School and graduated from Jesuit High School in 1941. Upon graduating from Jesuit, Bill enrolled in Tulane University studying electrical engineering. He participated in the Navy ROTC program and prior to completing his degree was called to active duty. He served his country as an officer with the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre during WW II from 1944-1946 and in the reserves until 1957. Following the war, Bill completed his Electrical Engineering degree at Tulane University in 1947. Bill spent his career selling industrial controls and represented various industrial equipment manufacturers after co-founding Mid-South Sales, Inc. in the New Orleans area and later as founder of B & B Controls, Inc. in Jackson . During his life Bill was an active leader in the Boy Scouts, sang in several choirs, and active in several engineering organizations. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA and participated in the many programs at Fondren Presbyterian Church in Jackson as well as Claiborne and Lakeview Presbyterian Churches in New Orleans. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 37 years, Elaine Daigle Barnes; two sons: Frank Morgan Barnes (Patrice Legeai) of New Orleans, LA., and Cornelius (Neil) White Barnes (Debra Hudspeth) of Madison, MS; Gwen C. Babin of Slidell, LA; sister, Ann Barnes Gardner of Hoover, AL; and 2 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, 1 great-grandson, a niece and 2 nephews. Times Picayune 11-22-2007.