Published Saturday, January 12, 2008

William "Bill" J. Barnett, 57, of Clinton, Miss., formerly of Columbia, died Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, in Clinton.

Services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, at First United Methodist Church in Clinton, with visitation at 10 a.m. Burial was in Revenna, Neb.

Bill was born on Dec. 22, 1950, in Columbia to Cecil T. and Hazel J. Barnett. He married Lynn Barnett on June 5, 1971, in Columbia. He later married Jackie Barnett in June 1991 in Waynesville.

He was a 1969 graduate of Hickman High School and a 1974 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a pharmacy degree. In 1983, he graduated from the University of Mississippi in Oxford with a juris doctorate.

He lived in Columbia from birth until 1990, practicing pharmacy and owning a small business. He lived in various other states and practiced pharmacy and finally moved to Mississippi, where he opened Barnett Law Offices. He practiced both trial and appellate law until his death. He enjoyed observing and participating in various sporting activities. His greatest enjoyment was officiating football, basketball and baseball in Missouri and Mississippi.

Survivors include both wives; children Becky Barnett Finnegan and husband Terry of Lenoir City, Tenn., Betsy Barnett Borsheski and husband Rob of Columbus, Ohio, Katie Barnett Hequembourg and husband Scott of Harker Heights, Texas, Kenley Barnett of St. Louis, Lindsey Barnett of Forth Worth, Texas, and Brenden Barnett of Clinton, Miss.; and grandchildren Maxwell, Emerson and Magdeline Finnegan and Olivia Borsheski.

His was preceded in death by his mother, father, aunts, uncles and grandparents.