Former city councilman Bill Gavin was a lot of things to a lot of people.
A city leader. An entrepreneur. An educator. A home designer. A motorcyclist.
“He was a damn good DJ,” noted Robert Smith, who served as mayor during all three of Gavin’s terms on the council. “Bill did a little of all. … He was very talented.”
Gavin, 74, passed away Monday at his home following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Fairview Baptist Church with burial following at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Born Sept. 23, 1949, in Columbus, Gavin represented Ward 6 on the city council from 2009 to 2021. As vice mayor in his last term, he filled the mayor’s seat for eight weeks in 2021 while Smith was dealing with illness.
Gavin taught drafting for years at both Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College and designed house plans for clients through his company, Residential Design Services.
As Smith noted, Gavin also disc jockeyed school dances and other events throughout the area.
Smith, a Democrat who left office at the same time as the Republican Gavin, described the former councilman as a close friend — though they were often on different sides of political issues.
“We didn’t always agree, but at the same time I knew Bill wanted the best for his constituents and (the whole) city of Columbus,” Smith said. “… He was always upbeat. He was a man of character, integrity, dignity and honor, and he was always in a good mood regardless of the situation.”
Charlie Box, who represented Ward 3 on the council from 2009 to 2021, also counted Gavin as a personal friend.
“We got very close for 12 years serving on the council,” Box said. “I am proud of our contribution. We fought the good fight. His positive input and service as vice mayor will long be remembered.”
Current Mayor Keith Gaskin, who also serves on the EMCC Board, noted Gavin’s broad community impact during his life.
“We are very saddened to hear of former councilman Gavin’s passing,” he said. “His many years of service to the city will have a lasting impact. Also, his many years as an instructor at EMCC touched many lives. People will always remember him fondly for his good nature. He always had a big smile on his face when you saw him.”
Gavin is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tammy Maners Gavin; first wife, Mary June Rankin of Brandon; and his daughter, Cori Lynn Gavin of Biloxi.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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