James Willam Pressler

James Pressler ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hartman-Jones Funeral Home - McComb on Mar. 17, 2026.Dr. James W. "Bill" Pressler passed away on March 15, 2026. He was 96 years old.Bill was born December 18, 1929, in Port Arthur, Texas, the son of Alton Henry Pressler and Annette Smith Pressler.Bill graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur in 1947 and then attended Rice University in Houston, TX, 1947-48. He attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, 1948-49, but returned to Rice in Engineering 1949-53, receiving a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.He worked for E.I. DuPont as a project engineer starting in 1953 in Orange, TX. While there, he met his future wife, Patsy Hennington from McComb, MS. They married in March, 1954. A year later, he resigned from DuPont and returned to Rice in September 1955 for an academic year in Pre-medicine courses, after which he attended the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1956-1960.Bill was selected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Fraternity in his junior year. He was in Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity serving as president in his senior year. He graduated in 1960 with honors.Bill did a year of rotating internship in the public health service in New Orleans, LA. He started general practice in Leesville, LA, in 1961, and left there to start a new practice in McComb, MS, in November 1963.Bill retired from medical practice in McComb in May 2000. He enjoyed his medical practice very much, especially getting to know his patients and working with his staff and colleagues.Bill became a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practitioners in 1972. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, a 50-year member (a fellow) of the American Association of Family Practice, and a member of the South Central Medical Society.He became active the US Army Reserves in 1980, and gained the rank of Colonel in 1984. He served as medical officer of the 412th Engineering Command in Vicksburg, MS.Bill had many interests, including Bible study and reading history books from his large collection at home. In earlier years, he loved farming, especially raising horses and cattle, and traveling with his family on summer vacations.Bill was preceded in death by his wife, who passed away in 2023, his parents, and one brother, Alton Henry Pressler II.He is survived by his four sons: Mark Pressler of Acworth GA; David Pressler (Vickie) of Springfield, OH; Patrick Pressler and Paul Pressler of Summit, MS; grandchildren Kevin Kuntz (Brooke), Katelyn (Carl) Schwander, Kyle Pressler and Keaton Pressler; five great-grandchild Kinsley Schwander, Carsten Schwander, Colsen Schwander, Lincoln Kuntz, and Eleanor Kuntz; and many nieces and nephews.Special thanks to Compassus Hospice Care staff, especially Leah Davis, and to Angela Ratcliff, Bobbie Fultz, Arma Nunnery, and especially Gail Day.A visitation will be held at Hartman-Jones Funeral Home in McComb, Mississippi, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 11:00 to 12:00, after a private graveside service at the Hollywood Cemetery.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice Compassus.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.