William "Bill" Vivian Vaughn, Jr

William V Vaughn Jr., age 91 of Lake City, Florida, passed away peacefully at home after a short illness, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Brooksville Baptist Church, Brooksville, MS. Interment is private and for the family only. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, and to further the spread of the gospel, the family requests donations be made to The Gideon’s International at www.gideons.org. To make a donation by phone, call toll-free 1-866-382-4253. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

William, known by his friends and loved ones as Bill, was born March 6, 1934, in Tupelo, MS to Vivian and Ione (McGuire) Vaughn. Bill grew up in Tupelo, MS where he graduated High School in 1952. Bill and his younger brother, John, loved to tell of their many escapades growing up together. Bill went to Mississippi Southern University where he met his first wife Mary D Brown. They married on July 11, 1953. After graduating from college with a major in Business, Bill became a pilot in the United States Army. He served in the army from 1956 to 1963 and ended his Army career as a Captain. While stationed in Germany, Ray Cap, a missionary, led Bill and Mary D to the Lord. Bill’s love for the Lord and desire to serve Him began at that time. Several years later, on June 4, 1965, his son, William V Vaughn III (affectionately known as Thumper), drowned in the Gulf of Mexico at age 7 along with his two cousins Bobby Frank Smith, age 9, and Betty Ann Smith age 13. Shortly afterwards, Bill surrendered his life to preach the Gospel. By August of 1965, Bill moved his family to New Orleans, LA where he attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a master’s degree in theology in 1968. Shortly after graduation, Bill surrendered to the mission field and moved his family to South Texas to begin Spanish Language Study. Bill faithfully served the Lord as a missionary to Mexico and Central America. Throughout his missionary ministry, Bill flew his own airplanes or traveled by RV with his family as they traveled all over Mexico and Central America. He and his family held open air evangelistic campaigns and helped other missionaries start churches. Bill had a passion for preaching the gospel wherever he had the opportunity and he used his musical talents and preaching to draw hundreds of people to hear the gospel. After almost 20 years on the mission field, Bill and Mary D returned to Brooksville, MS, where Bill continued his ministry of writing and distributing free gospel materials in both Spanish and English. Bill authored numerous gospel tracts as well as Christian booklets. He had a passion for the Word of God, and he obtained three Doctorate degrees, a Doctorate in Theology, Doctorate in Divinity, and Doctorate in Philosophy of Christian Ministries. Mary D passed away November 26, 2001, and on January 10, 2004, Bill remarried June (a Christian lady whose first husband, a pastor, had also passed away). Bill and June resided in Lake City, FL, where June’s home was. Bill is known for saying that “God loves him more because He gave him two perfect wives.” Up until Bill’s death, he continued the mission work through the printing of tracts and booklets as well as filling the pulpit numerous times in several local churches. Bill was a man of many talents. He was a football and track star in both high school and college. He was a pilot in the Army, an accomplished musician and songwriter, a school teacher, but most importantly, a preacher and missionary who loved and served His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until his death. Perhaps his greatest influence was through his gift of encouragement, mercy, and love. Bill is survived by his wife, June; two daughters and son, Vicky (Kevin) Soddy Daisy, TN, Ellen (Bruce) Mansfield, OH, and James Columbus, MS; four grandchildren, Joshua (Abbie), Rachael (David), Mitch, and Brian (Brittany); and ten great grandchildren, Alivia, Layla, Asa, Elena, Jacob, Luke, Miles, Beckett, Jackson, and Liam; one stepdaughter Sherri (Dale) and one stepson Lloyd (Sandra) of Lake City, FL; six step-grandchildren, Brantley (Andi), Logan (Chelsea), Sarah, Seth (Cassie), Zachary (Faith), and Lee (Ashleigh); and eight step-great grandchildren, Laine, Allie, Ryder, Kace, Selah, Abel, Savannah Rae, and Millie; his brother John (Barbara) of Tupelo, MS and their children and grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Vivian and Ione Vaughn, Tupelo, MS; his first wife, Mary D. Vaughn; son William V Vaughn, III (affectionately known as Thumper); and step grandson Lloyd E. Petersen, III (affectionately known as Trey).