William Aaron Peden, 82, beloved father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor, died Thursday, January 18, 2007 in Pass Christian.
Mr. Peden was born in Calhoun County, MS and graduated from Ripley High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1948. Mr. Peden lived in Starkville, MS and Detroit, MI until 1952, at which time he moved to the Coast. Living first in Biloxi and then in Gulfport, he put down deep roots on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, claiming there was no better place to live in the world.
He spent over 40 years operating a highly successful Gulf Coast insurance agency. He became an agent for the Life Insurance Company of Georgia in Starkville, MS in 1948. In 1952 he joined Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and was appointed District Manager in 1953. In 1964 he was appointed Regional Agency Manager for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance and Jefferson Pilot Financial. He was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Club and the President's Club. In 1962 he was the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters "Outstanding Man of the Year." Under his leadership, the Gulfport Agency, comprised of southeastern divisions from the Coast to Meridian, received the corporation's highest award of excellence. In 1978 his agency was awarded the "President's Trophy" as the number one agency in the company, outranking in all categories agencies operating in 46 of 50 states.
He served as President and a Director of the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, Ethical Practices Committee Chairman, Credentials Committee Chairman, and Legislative Committee Chairman. He served as President, Director, and Charter Member of the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, and Education Committee Chairman. He was awarded the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters "William L. Higgins Award" for outstanding leadership. He was a charter member and Past President of the Sales and Marketing Executives of the Gulf Coast. He served on Jefferson Standard's Manager's Advisory Committee and also as chairman and instructor of the Life Underwriters Training Council.
During his career he was an active member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of National Association of Life Underwriters and National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors. He was a recipient of the National Quality and National Sales Achievement Awards. A member of the Million Dollar Round Table, he also led many of his agents to achieve membership in this prestigious group.
He was the Past Chairman and Board Member of the Gulfport Chamber of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He was past board member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the Gulf Coast Council of Chambers, the forerunner of the Coast Chamber. He also served as campaign chairman for several membership drives for the Coast Chamber. He was selected Jaycees "Boss of the Year" in 1975. He was a member and past Regional Vice-President of the Metropolitan Dinner Club. He was also a charter member of the Great Southern Club. He was a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club for over 40 years and served as President and Vice-President. He also served as District Governor's Representative as well as three terms as program chairman. He served on the Board of Directors for six years and was very active in the Gulfport Rotary Club Scholarship Drive. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.
He served for 26 years on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and also was President of the Board. He received Honorary Lifetime Board Member status. He served as State Campaign Director for the American Heart Association in 1990 and led the Association to one million dollars in contributions for the first time ever. He served as Boy Scout Leader and Director of Pine Burr Council since 1957 and was a fund-raiser for major gifts. All three sons were Eagle Scouts a fact of which he was extremely proud. Mr. Peden was also a mentor for the Gulfport City School and for USM, always encouraging others to achieve the formal education that he never had. He was a member of the Good Will Board of Directors and Feed My Sheep. He also served as a board member of the United Way of South Mississippi and on the United Way Area operating committee. An avid supporter of any organization involving music and the arts, he strongly supported the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra by selling tickets and obtaining donations for the Barbecue Under the Oaks fund-raiser. He was also a member of the Community Concert Association.
He served as a Harrison County Board of Supervisor from 1991-1992 and chaired the transportation committee for the Harrison County Strategic Planning Task Force. He was also a member of Coast 21.
He was awarded the Pat Santucci "Spirit of the Coast" Award from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce in 1994 based on ethical conduct, reputation, leadership, credibility, and business achievements.
He was a deacon at Mississippi City Baptist Church in the 1950s and Bayou View Baptist in the 1960s. He was a teacher of the famed Scrap Iron Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Most recently he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, going back to the roots of the Peden family.
He was so proud to live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not a day went by that he didn't allude to the fact that he lived in a place that was like "heaven on earth." Even after losing four members of his immediate family to death at an early age and after losing his home, possessions and a beloved pet to Hurricane Katrina, he tried to remain positive, even offering uplifting advice from his death bed. "When you wake up every morning, you decide if your glass is half-empty or half-full. I want your glass to be half-full. You will be OK."
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Genevieve Peden; two sons, Eddie Peden and Dr. Richard Peden; and a grandson, Ricky Peden.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jean B. Peden; a daughter, Peggy Sprabery (Don) of Pass Christian; a son, Bobby Peden (Melissa) of Gulfport; two sisters, Lou Hayes of Biloxi, Nina Saunders of Little Rock, AR; a brother, Charles Peden of Little Rock, AR; seven grandchildren, Ashley Kremer, Bill Peden, Allie Peden, Ginny Anne (Genevieve) Sprabery, Austin Peden, Robert Peden, Wesley Peden; and two great-grandchildren, Sophie Peden Kremer and Fisher Kremer.
The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 6012, Gulfport, MS 39506.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21, 2007 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.
2007 Sun Herald
Mr. Peden was born in Calhoun County, MS and graduated from Ripley High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1948. Mr. Peden lived in Starkville, MS and Detroit, MI until 1952, at which time he moved to the Coast. Living first in Biloxi and then in Gulfport, he put down deep roots on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, claiming there was no better place to live in the world.
He spent over 40 years operating a highly successful Gulf Coast insurance agency. He became an agent for the Life Insurance Company of Georgia in Starkville, MS in 1948. In 1952 he joined Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and was appointed District Manager in 1953. In 1964 he was appointed Regional Agency Manager for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance and Jefferson Pilot Financial. He was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Club and the President's Club. In 1962 he was the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters "Outstanding Man of the Year." Under his leadership, the Gulfport Agency, comprised of southeastern divisions from the Coast to Meridian, received the corporation's highest award of excellence. In 1978 his agency was awarded the "President's Trophy" as the number one agency in the company, outranking in all categories agencies operating in 46 of 50 states.
He served as President and a Director of the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, Ethical Practices Committee Chairman, Credentials Committee Chairman, and Legislative Committee Chairman. He served as President, Director, and Charter Member of the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, and Education Committee Chairman. He was awarded the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters "William L. Higgins Award" for outstanding leadership. He was a charter member and Past President of the Sales and Marketing Executives of the Gulf Coast. He served on Jefferson Standard's Manager's Advisory Committee and also as chairman and instructor of the Life Underwriters Training Council.
During his career he was an active member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of National Association of Life Underwriters and National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors. He was a recipient of the National Quality and National Sales Achievement Awards. A member of the Million Dollar Round Table, he also led many of his agents to achieve membership in this prestigious group.
He was the Past Chairman and Board Member of the Gulfport Chamber of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He was past board member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the Gulf Coast Council of Chambers, the forerunner of the Coast Chamber. He also served as campaign chairman for several membership drives for the Coast Chamber. He was selected Jaycees "Boss of the Year" in 1975. He was a member and past Regional Vice-President of the Metropolitan Dinner Club. He was also a charter member of the Great Southern Club. He was a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club for over 40 years and served as President and Vice-President. He also served as District Governor's Representative as well as three terms as program chairman. He served on the Board of Directors for six years and was very active in the Gulfport Rotary Club Scholarship Drive. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.
He served for 26 years on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and also was President of the Board. He received Honorary Lifetime Board Member status. He served as State Campaign Director for the American Heart Association in 1990 and led the Association to one million dollars in contributions for the first time ever. He served as Boy Scout Leader and Director of Pine Burr Council since 1957 and was a fund-raiser for major gifts. All three sons were Eagle Scouts a fact of which he was extremely proud. Mr. Peden was also a mentor for the Gulfport City School and for USM, always encouraging others to achieve the formal education that he never had. He was a member of the Good Will Board of Directors and Feed My Sheep. He also served as a board member of the United Way of South Mississippi and on the United Way Area operating committee. An avid supporter of any organization involving music and the arts, he strongly supported the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra by selling tickets and obtaining donations for the Barbecue Under the Oaks fund-raiser. He was also a member of the Community Concert Association.
He served as a Harrison County Board of Supervisor from 1991-1992 and chaired the transportation committee for the Harrison County Strategic Planning Task Force. He was also a member of Coast 21.
He was awarded the Pat Santucci "Spirit of the Coast" Award from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce in 1994 based on ethical conduct, reputation, leadership, credibility, and business achievements.
He was a deacon at Mississippi City Baptist Church in the 1950s and Bayou View Baptist in the 1960s. He was a teacher of the famed Scrap Iron Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Most recently he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, going back to the roots of the Peden family.
He was so proud to live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not a day went by that he didn't allude to the fact that he lived in a place that was like "heaven on earth." Even after losing four members of his immediate family to death at an early age and after losing his home, possessions and a beloved pet to Hurricane Katrina, he tried to remain positive, even offering uplifting advice from his death bed. "When you wake up every morning, you decide if your glass is half-empty or half-full. I want your glass to be half-full. You will be OK."
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Genevieve Peden; two sons, Eddie Peden and Dr. Richard Peden; and a grandson, Ricky Peden.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jean B. Peden; a daughter, Peggy Sprabery (Don) of Pass Christian; a son, Bobby Peden (Melissa) of Gulfport; two sisters, Lou Hayes of Biloxi, Nina Saunders of Little Rock, AR; a brother, Charles Peden of Little Rock, AR; seven grandchildren, Ashley Kremer, Bill Peden, Allie Peden, Ginny Anne (Genevieve) Sprabery, Austin Peden, Robert Peden, Wesley Peden; and two great-grandchildren, Sophie Peden Kremer and Fisher Kremer.
The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 6012, Gulfport, MS 39506.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21, 2007 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.
2007 Sun Herald
William Aaron Peden, 82, beloved father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor, died Thursday, January 18, 2007 in Pass Christian.
Mr. Peden was born in Calhoun County, MS and graduated from Ripley High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1948. Mr. Peden lived in Starkville, MS and Detroit, MI until 1952, at which time he moved to the Coast. Living first in Biloxi and then in Gulfport, he put down deep roots on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, claiming there was no better place to live in the world.
He spent over 40 years operating a highly successful Gulf Coast insurance agency. He became an agent for the Life Insurance Company of Georgia in Starkville, MS in 1948. In 1952 he joined Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and was appointed District Manager in 1953. In 1964 he was appointed Regional Agency Manager for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance and Jefferson Pilot Financial. He was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Club and the President's Club. In 1962 he was the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters "Outstanding Man of the Year." Under his leadership, the Gulfport Agency, comprised of southeastern divisions from the Coast to Meridian, received the corporation's highest award of excellence. In 1978 his agency was awarded the "President's Trophy" as the number one agency in the company, outranking in all categories agencies operating in 46 of 50 states.
He served as President and a Director of the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, Ethical Practices Committee Chairman, Credentials Committee Chairman, and Legislative Committee Chairman. He served as President, Director, and Charter Member of the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, and Education Committee Chairman. He was awarded the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters "William L. Higgins Award" for outstanding leadership. He was a charter member and Past President of the Sales and Marketing Executives of the Gulf Coast. He served on Jefferson Standard's Manager's Advisory Committee and also as chairman and instructor of the Life Underwriters Training Council.
During his career he was an active member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of National Association of Life Underwriters and National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors. He was a recipient of the National Quality and National Sales Achievement Awards. A member of the Million Dollar Round Table, he also led many of his agents to achieve membership in this prestigious group.
He was the Past Chairman and Board Member of the Gulfport Chamber of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He was past board member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the Gulf Coast Council of Chambers, the forerunner of the Coast Chamber. He also served as campaign chairman for several membership drives for the Coast Chamber. He was selected Jaycees "Boss of the Year" in 1975. He was a member and past Regional Vice-President of the Metropolitan Dinner Club. He was also a charter member of the Great Southern Club. He was a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club for over 40 years and served as President and Vice-President. He also served as District Governor's Representative as well as three terms as program chairman. He served on the Board of Directors for six years and was very active in the Gulfport Rotary Club Scholarship Drive. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.
He served for 26 years on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and also was President of the Board. He received Honorary Lifetime Board Member status. He served as State Campaign Director for the American Heart Association in 1990 and led the Association to one million dollars in contributions for the first time ever. He served as Boy Scout Leader and Director of Pine Burr Council since 1957 and was a fund-raiser for major gifts. All three sons were Eagle Scouts a fact of which he was extremely proud. Mr. Peden was also a mentor for the Gulfport City School and for USM, always encouraging others to achieve the formal education that he never had. He was a member of the Good Will Board of Directors and Feed My Sheep. He also served as a board member of the United Way of South Mississippi and on the United Way Area operating committee. An avid supporter of any organization involving music and the arts, he strongly supported the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra by selling tickets and obtaining donations for the Barbecue Under the Oaks fund-raiser. He was also a member of the Community Concert Association.
He served as a Harrison County Board of Supervisor from 1991-1992 and chaired the transportation committee for the Harrison County Strategic Planning Task Force. He was also a member of Coast 21.
He was awarded the Pat Santucci "Spirit of the Coast" Award from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce in 1994 based on ethical conduct, reputation, leadership, credibility, and business achievements.
He was a deacon at Mississippi City Baptist Church in the 1950s and Bayou View Baptist in the 1960s. He was a teacher of the famed Scrap Iron Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Most recently he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, going back to the roots of the Peden family.
He was so proud to live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not a day went by that he didn't allude to the fact that he lived in a place that was like "heaven on earth." Even after losing four members of his immediate family to death at an early age and after losing his home, possessions and a beloved pet to Hurricane Katrina, he tried to remain positive, even offering uplifting advice from his death bed. "When you wake up every morning, you decide if your glass is half-empty or half-full. I want your glass to be half-full. You will be OK."
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Genevieve Peden; two sons, Eddie Peden and Dr. Richard Peden; and a grandson, Ricky Peden.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jean B. Peden; a daughter, Peggy Sprabery (Don) of Pass Christian; a son, Bobby Peden (Melissa) of Gulfport; two sisters, Lou Hayes of Biloxi, Nina Saunders of Little Rock, AR; a brother, Charles Peden of Little Rock, AR; seven grandchildren, Ashley Kremer, Bill Peden, Allie Peden, Ginny Anne (Genevieve) Sprabery, Austin Peden, Robert Peden, Wesley Peden; and two great-grandchildren, Sophie Peden Kremer and Fisher Kremer.
The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 6012, Gulfport, MS 39506.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21, 2007 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.
2007 Sun Herald
Mr. Peden was born in Calhoun County, MS and graduated from Ripley High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1948. Mr. Peden lived in Starkville, MS and Detroit, MI until 1952, at which time he moved to the Coast. Living first in Biloxi and then in Gulfport, he put down deep roots on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, claiming there was no better place to live in the world.
He spent over 40 years operating a highly successful Gulf Coast insurance agency. He became an agent for the Life Insurance Company of Georgia in Starkville, MS in 1948. In 1952 he joined Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and was appointed District Manager in 1953. In 1964 he was appointed Regional Agency Manager for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance and Jefferson Pilot Financial. He was a member of the Thomas Jefferson Club and the President's Club. In 1962 he was the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters "Outstanding Man of the Year." Under his leadership, the Gulfport Agency, comprised of southeastern divisions from the Coast to Meridian, received the corporation's highest award of excellence. In 1978 his agency was awarded the "President's Trophy" as the number one agency in the company, outranking in all categories agencies operating in 46 of 50 states.
He served as President and a Director of the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, Ethical Practices Committee Chairman, Credentials Committee Chairman, and Legislative Committee Chairman. He served as President, Director, and Charter Member of the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters. He also served as their National Committeeman, Awards Committee Chairman, and Education Committee Chairman. He was awarded the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters "William L. Higgins Award" for outstanding leadership. He was a charter member and Past President of the Sales and Marketing Executives of the Gulf Coast. He served on Jefferson Standard's Manager's Advisory Committee and also as chairman and instructor of the Life Underwriters Training Council.
During his career he was an active member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of National Association of Life Underwriters and National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors. He was a recipient of the National Quality and National Sales Achievement Awards. A member of the Million Dollar Round Table, he also led many of his agents to achieve membership in this prestigious group.
He was the Past Chairman and Board Member of the Gulfport Chamber of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He was past board member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the Gulf Coast Council of Chambers, the forerunner of the Coast Chamber. He also served as campaign chairman for several membership drives for the Coast Chamber. He was selected Jaycees "Boss of the Year" in 1975. He was a member and past Regional Vice-President of the Metropolitan Dinner Club. He was also a charter member of the Great Southern Club. He was a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club for over 40 years and served as President and Vice-President. He also served as District Governor's Representative as well as three terms as program chairman. He served on the Board of Directors for six years and was very active in the Gulfport Rotary Club Scholarship Drive. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow.
He served for 26 years on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and also was President of the Board. He received Honorary Lifetime Board Member status. He served as State Campaign Director for the American Heart Association in 1990 and led the Association to one million dollars in contributions for the first time ever. He served as Boy Scout Leader and Director of Pine Burr Council since 1957 and was a fund-raiser for major gifts. All three sons were Eagle Scouts a fact of which he was extremely proud. Mr. Peden was also a mentor for the Gulfport City School and for USM, always encouraging others to achieve the formal education that he never had. He was a member of the Good Will Board of Directors and Feed My Sheep. He also served as a board member of the United Way of South Mississippi and on the United Way Area operating committee. An avid supporter of any organization involving music and the arts, he strongly supported the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra by selling tickets and obtaining donations for the Barbecue Under the Oaks fund-raiser. He was also a member of the Community Concert Association.
He served as a Harrison County Board of Supervisor from 1991-1992 and chaired the transportation committee for the Harrison County Strategic Planning Task Force. He was also a member of Coast 21.
He was awarded the Pat Santucci "Spirit of the Coast" Award from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce in 1994 based on ethical conduct, reputation, leadership, credibility, and business achievements.
He was a deacon at Mississippi City Baptist Church in the 1950s and Bayou View Baptist in the 1960s. He was a teacher of the famed Scrap Iron Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Most recently he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, going back to the roots of the Peden family.
He was so proud to live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not a day went by that he didn't allude to the fact that he lived in a place that was like "heaven on earth." Even after losing four members of his immediate family to death at an early age and after losing his home, possessions and a beloved pet to Hurricane Katrina, he tried to remain positive, even offering uplifting advice from his death bed. "When you wake up every morning, you decide if your glass is half-empty or half-full. I want your glass to be half-full. You will be OK."
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Genevieve Peden; two sons, Eddie Peden and Dr. Richard Peden; and a grandson, Ricky Peden.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jean B. Peden; a daughter, Peggy Sprabery (Don) of Pass Christian; a son, Bobby Peden (Melissa) of Gulfport; two sisters, Lou Hayes of Biloxi, Nina Saunders of Little Rock, AR; a brother, Charles Peden of Little Rock, AR; seven grandchildren, Ashley Kremer, Bill Peden, Allie Peden, Ginny Anne (Genevieve) Sprabery, Austin Peden, Robert Peden, Wesley Peden; and two great-grandchildren, Sophie Peden Kremer and Fisher Kremer.
The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 6012, Gulfport, MS 39506.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21, 2007 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.
2007 Sun Herald
