OZARK…Mr. William “Bill” M. Segrest (Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Retired), a resident of Ozark, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday evening, May 19, 2026, in Enterprise. He was 98.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 22, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Don McCall officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Mr. Segrest, the son of the late Aurelious August Segrest and Phosa Corbia Segrest, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, a place that shaped his early years and remained a part of him throughout his life. After finishing high school, he answered the call to serve his country and joined the United States Army in 1945. What began as a young man’s step into adulthood became a proud and honorable military career that spanned nearly twenty‑five years.
He served during the World War II era and the Korean War, dedicating himself fully to the soldiers beside him and the mission before him. Through hard work, discipline, and unwavering commitment, he rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class before retiring at Fort Rucker in 1969. His service left a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and quiet strength—qualities that defined him long after he hung up his uniform.
Outside of the Army, Mr. Segrest found joy in the simple, peaceful parts of life. He loved fishing, spending long, calm hours by the water, and he had a talent for upholstery, working with his hands to bring new life to well‑loved pieces. These hobbies weren’t just pastimes—they were reflections of his patience, his craftsmanship, and his appreciation for the world around him.
He was a faithful member of Campground Baptist Church in Ozark, where he found fellowship, comfort, and a spiritual home. His faith guided him, grounded him, and shaped the way he treated others—with kindness, humility, and sincerity.
Mr. Segrest was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annie Lee Rhinehardt Segrest. Their bond was strong, and he carried her memory with him always.
Those who knew him will remember a man of quiet dignity, steady presence, and a heart shaped by service—to his country, his family, his church, and his community. His life was long, meaningful, and filled with purpose, and his memory will continue to live on in the stories shared and the lives he touched.
Surviving relatives include his daughter, Betty Watson (Jimmy), Ozark; two grandchildren, Craig Blocker (Jessica) and Chris Blocker (Jennifer); five great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
