"Every dawg has his day." The Lord called a special dawg home on Friday, July 21, 2023. William Allen Sartin, Jr.-Bill Sartin- was a beloved father, husband, son, brother, friend, and boss. The oldest son of three children to Bill and Amy Sartin, Bill was special right from the start. Though our hearts will ache with longing for him, we can rest confidently knowing that he is restored at the feet of Jesus.

If there was one thing that anyone knew about Bill, it was that he loved his family. Bill loved to support his children at any and all sporting events from sitting in the cold at soccer games to coaching third on the hottest of days. When not coaching one of his kids on the field, you could find him standing quietly by the fence taking notes of what could be worked on to improve for the next game and offering a reassuring "thumbs up." The love and pride he had for all of his children was unmatched, but he, especially, loved having not only a son but a best friend in Will. Sharing a love for the outdoors, Bill and Will could be found in the woods or in a duck blind during any open season. From pulling Will into the duck hole on a decoy bag, bagging two gobblers with one shot, and every hunt in between, there was no doubt that the bond they shared was like no other. He was, also, extremely fond of his two grandsons, Beau and Sam, who loved riding the tractor with "Papaw Bill." We find comfort in knowing that we will forever see attributes of Bill in the words, mannerism, and actions of Madison, Morgan, Will, Beau and Sam.

"If you can't run with the big dawgs, stay on the porch," quoted Bill in his senior annual, and he was, truly, one of the big dawgs. Voted Mr. DHS, Most Handsome, Class Favorite, and Beau many years, he was highly regarded by all. From his performance in multiple sports, Bill, a four-year letterman, acquired numerous awards and accolades including All Division, All Area and All State titles, being named to the Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen for the state of Mississippi, and being invited to play in the Mississippi and Mississippi/Alabama All Star game. In 1987, during his junior year, he helped lead the Dexter Bulldogs to a State Championship title. His outstanding performance in the State Championship game caught the attention of many college football programs, but he, ultimately, accepted Mississippi State's full scholarship offer. His athleticism, persistence, and grit propelled him into being projected into the Top 5 football players of the 1993 class. A career-ending injury stopped him short of the 1994 NFL draft, but, just as he had done on the offensive line, he pivoted into his next role of success.

One of Bill's most astounding qualities was his resiliency. His success on the football field was only the beginning of his achievements. After college, Bill transitioned to a life of coaching. Coaching at Starkville, Brookhaven, and Meridian, Bill attained a considerable number of winning seasons. After deciding that there was more to life than winning ball games and yearning for more time with his family, Bill turned to a career in insurance with Farm Bureau. As with everything in his life, he excelled with his insurance career as well. Some of his most notable achievements with Farm Bureau were Rookie of the Year, Agent of the Year, and numerous Life Company sales awards. Through his God-given talent of leadership and impeccable ability to command a room and captivate his audiences, he quickly rose to a position of leadership within the Farm Bureau company winning a multitude of Agency of the Year titles.

Baptized at an early age and rededicated in 2015, there was no question about Bill's love for the Lord. His day began with a cup of coffee and quiet time reading his Bible. Some of the most profound memories of him come from watching him kneel beside his bed each night.

The man, the myth, the legend (as many have told us over the years), will live forever in our hearts and in those whose lives he impacted along his journey. Bill is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jimmy and Ernestine Felder of McComb and John Ray and Elise Sartin of Dexter and sister, Brooke McNeese of Jayess. Bill is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann of Hernando; children, Madison Reaves (Austin) of Guntown, Morgan Sartin of Saltillo, and Will Sartin of Hernando; parents, Bill and Amy Sartin of Dexter; brother Gareth Sartin (Jessica) of Bogue Chitto; nephews, Felder and Easton Sartin of Bogue Chitto; niece, Kinley McNeese of Jayess; grandsons, Beau and Sam Reaves of Guntown; step-son, Jake Johnson of Hernando; and multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, former players, colleagues, and friends.
Donations in memory of Bill may be made to UT Methodist Transplant Unit, Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Pallbearers will be Will Sartin, Brian Hicks, Wayne Herring, William Lee, Josh Miller, Daniel Bennett, Tommy Swindell, and Brooks Bumpous. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Reaves, Beau Reaves, Austin Reaves, Gareth Sartin, Felder Sartin, Easton Sartin, Paul Lee, Johnny Copeland, Mark Guin, Tim Ball, Haston Cross, Jeffrey Rea, Jordan Wexler, and Scott Sartin.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 9:00 AM until service time at 12:30 PM at Crystal Springs Baptist Church in 941 Hwy 48, Tylertown, MS. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Cemetery in Tylertown, MS. Bro. Danny Stevens will officiate. Hartman Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.hartmanhughesfuneralhome.com