William Shan Grisham

William Shan Grisham, age 78, born on April 10, 1947, departed this life on February 16, 2026 at Oxford Hospital following a long illness of multiple myeloma cancer and AL-Amyloidosis congestive heart failure, and is now resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior in Heaven. Shan and his wife, Diane Carter Grisham, will have been married 60 years in May. Shan has been a life-long member of Beech Hill Church of Christ serving as a song leader in the past. His number one goal in life was to make it to heaven and attend church services when the doors opened. As a young boy he began his work career helping his father, uncles and grandfather in their logging business. After high school he worked as a lineman for Bell Telephone in Memphis and Nashville. He attended Mississippi State and David Lipscomb College in Nashville, TN. While in Nashville, he worked part-time in computer departments at Vanderbilt University and Life and Casualty Insurance Tower downtown. His first full-time position was as a draftsman designing and drawing blue-print house plans for Jones Lumber Co in Madison, TN. After moving back to Ripley in early 70's, he worked at Biltrite Rubber in the Sales Department, then LaSalle Mobile Homes Plant in Blue Mountain as their Blueprint draftsman for Mobile Home Plans. However, the majority of his life was working for his family business at Grisham Lumber Co in Blue Mountain. For a brief time, he drove for Ashley Furniture, Massengill Trucking and Tiffin Motor Homes. He enjoyed helping customers with their building, electrical, and plumbing needs. Shan was a gifted self-made mechanic, electrician, plumber, and could fix, repair, and build almost anything. He was an excellent carpenter, building many houses, a school, a fire department, a vet clinic, and churches. His brilliant ingenuity and clever wit has been inherited by his two sons, Greg and David. Shan's hobbies have been many: Ham radio operator, Airplane Pilot, motorcycles, automobile mechanic, photography, and his greatest joy was vacationing and camping trips with his children and grandchildren. A special thanks to Dr. Obaji and the New Albany Cancer Treatment Center's nurses and staff. To Dr. Miller, Dr. Mercier, Dr. Lambert, Dr. Green, and all the wonderful nurses and staff at Oxford Hospital who provided phenominal care. Preceding him in death were his parents, Bowden and Melba Grisham and great-granddaughter, Whitlee Harbor Grisham. Shan is survived by his wife Diane Carter Grisham; his two sons Greggory Shannon Grisham (Heather) of Baldwin, MS, and David Alan Grisham (Larisa) of Tupelo, MS. His sister Vicky Crawford (Clay) of Ripley, MS. His brother-in-law, Tommy Carter (Brenda) of Saltillo, MS. His sister-in-law Deana Collins Carter of Blue Mountain, MS. His five grandchildren, Meghan LaShae Grisham Canan (Logan) daughter of Melisa O'Leary Grisham of Gulf Shores, MS; Garrett Witt Grisham (Meri) and Harlee Anna Grisham of Ripley, son and daughter of Jennifer Witt Grisham all of Rilpey, MS; Baylee Diana Grisham (fiance, Mason Echols) of Collierville, daughter and step-daughter of Drake and Brian Dickson of Collierville, TN; Ruby Grace Grisham, daughter of Chastity Grisham of Pontotoc. His five great-grandchildren, Lilith (Lio) Soul Warren, daughter of Oliver Warren of Gulf Shores; Eleanor (Nora) Hayes, daughter of Tyler Hayes of Gulf Shores; Genevieve (Evie) Diane Canan; baby Whitlee Harbor Grisham; and Lottie Hart Grisham (arriving soon). His beloved multitude of nephews, nieces, and bonus families. Officiated by: Bro. Dr. Tommy Simpson Assisting Minister: Bro. Bruce Alt Conducting Graveside Service: Bro. Dan Harrell Pallbearers: Beech Hill Song Leaders - Stacy Simmons, Mo Graddy, Will Simpson, Brad Stevens, Dustin McMillin, Winston Smith, Wes Turner, Jack McMillin, Landon Clifton, Hayes Ward

William Shan Grisham

April 10, 1947 - February 16, 2026