William Albert McLaurin, Sr, 101, of Sandersville, MS, World War II Veteran, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. He was born Tuesday, September 23, 1924 in Jones County, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel on 4593 Indian Springs Road, Laurel, MS. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 10 2026 at 2:00 pm at Erata Cemetery in Sandersville, MS. Bro Jimmy Holder and Bro Curtis Gibson will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. McLaurin enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 years 10 months at Camp Shelby Mississippi. He was inducted on July 9, 1943 and departed to New Guinea South Philippines on October 16, 1944 as an Anti-Aircraft Machine Gunner with the 35th Transportation Corps Service Group. He served until December 1945.

While in the Army, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Ribbon. He told numerous stories about his time on the ship and while on leave. One, in particular, was of him capturing Japanese soldiers. He said they actually surrendered but he got credit for the capture. After his military service, he was employed by Southern Railway as a clerk and later as the Postmaster in Sandersville, MS for twenty years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Augusta Hannemann McLaurin, a son, William A. McLaurin, Jr, his parents, William F. and Belle Trest McLaurin, a granddaughter, Kari McLaurin as well as 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

He is survived by his sons, Charles McLaurin (Kathy), of Sandersville, and Thomas McLaurin of Sandersville, his daughter-in-law, Lee McLaurin, of St Petersburg, FL, grandchildren, Jennifer Mazur (Tim), Traci Fink (Bill), Bill McLaurin (Vicki), and Chip McLaurin, his great grandchildren, Allison Hall, Eric Stillwell, Kisa Miller, Trey
(Carla), Colton (Stephania) Connor (Catie) and Jessica McLaurin, Brittani Craft and Tylor Craft (Lauren), Alex and Max Mazur, and Ashlee McLaurin. He is also survived by his great great grandchildren, Waylen and Colton Craft, Harvey and Holland Strickland and Maggie and Delaney and two on the way.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Bill McLaurin, Chip McLaurin, grandson in law Tim Mazur. great grandsons Trey, Colton and Connor McLaurin, Eric Stillwell.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com