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Submitted: 3/21/13 • Approved: 3/21/13 • Last Updated: 3/24/13 • R849783-G0-S3
Jan 27, 1925 - Aug 25, 2012
Married Marue Mar 12, 1944
*Obituary
William Bennett Tackett, 87 of Schlater died Saturday, August 25, 2012 peacefully at his home after a 5 month battle with Lymphoma. Services will be Monday August 27, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Greenwood Church of God. Visitation will be Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 4:00Pm till 6:00Pm at the Greenwood Church of God, and August 28, 2012 12:00PM till 2:00PM at the United Pentecostal Church in Higden AR. Burial will be in McLehaney Hidgen Cemetery in Higden, Ark. Rev. Keith Davis of Greenwood and Rev. Clois Sturch of West Memphis will officiate.
Mr. Tackett was born on January 27, 1925 in Higden, Arkansas to William Killis and Zora Jane Chalk Tackett, he was the first born of eight children. At age 18, he was drafted into the Navy and stationed in San Diego, California.
At age 19, he married Lillian Marue potter of Higden, Arkansas and the two began their life’s work together, farming. They had five children before moving to Belzoni, MS in 1964.
William, his wife, Marue and their five children moved from Jonesboro, Arkansas to Belzoni, Mississippi and began farming rice, soybeans and cotton. In 1968: Built his first catfish pond in Humphreys County. In 1973 he Moved to Leflore County and continued row crop farming. Mr. Tackett in 1978 built catfish ponds in Leflore and Sunflower Counties .In 1984 he opened a catfish hatchery and began a brooder and fingerling operation. In 1995 Mr. Tackett opened Heartland Catfish processing plant in Itta Bena, MS; in 2008 he opened Heartland Catfish processing plant in Greensboro, Alabama. Mr. Tackett from 1973 until the present was a member of Greenwood Church of God, and served on the Church and Pastor’s Council for several years.
From1978-1992 he served on Delta Pride Catfish Board of Directors, he was selected as a Charter Member, from 1981 until the present he served on Delta Western Feed Mill Board of Directors, from 1986-1992, Mr. Tackett served on the Catfish Farmers of America Board of Directors. In 1986 until 2006 he served on the Catfish Institute Board of Directors.
Since 1995 he served as President of Heartland Catfish. In 1989 he was named Outstanding Farmer by Catfish Farmers of America. In 1992 he received the Delta Council Achievement Award (for Outstanding Contributions to Aquaculture). In 2000 he received the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year In 2006; Mr. Tackett received the Inaugural Recipient of the Catfish Farmers of America Lifetime Achievement Award.
William began farming in 1948 and continued his life’s passion until his death. He leaves a legacy of a man who lived a life of honor, integrity, frugality, determination, hard work ethics and Christian principles. He loved God, his family and farming. He was preceded in death by his Parents: William Killis and Zora Jane Chalk Tackett
Sisters: Gladys Marie Tackett Bishop, and Dixie Pauline Tackett Sales
Brothers: Chester Tackett, Lester Tackett, and JA Tackett
Contributed on 3/21/13 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 849783