It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William "Will" Austin Hodges, Esq., age 29, on July 18, 2026. Born March 27, 1997, to Lacy and Adam Hodges of Jones County, Will now rests in the complete healing, grace, and love of his Lord and Savior.

Funeral Services for Mr. Hodges will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 11:00am at Franklin Methodist Church in Laurel. The Reverend Dr. Stephen Wade will officiate and Mr. Austin Perkins will provide the musical tribute. Interment will follow in the Lake Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bryce Shoemake, Chase Myers, Clint Myers, John Ethan Hughes, Turner Hughes, and Austin Perkins.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Sidney Rhea Hughes, II, John Hughes, Tim Hodges, and Samuel Hodges

Wade Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Will graduated from South Jones High School in 2015, receiving his Associates in business from Jones College in 2017, followed by a Bachelors in marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2019. Will earned his Juris Doctorate at the Mississippi College School of Law in 2022. He was a member of Franklin Methodist Church.

In his professional career, Will served as Senior Paralegal for the State's Attorney's Office, 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida and later for the Law Offices of David Jimenez, P.L.

To know Will was to love him; Will was known for his infectious humor and fierce loyalty as a friend. Will was a lifelong patron of the arts, actively involved in the South Jones show choir and drama dept; he later worked with Laurel Little Theatre, directing some of the top-grossing shows: Rex's Exes, Hello, Dolly! and Big Fish.

Will leaves behind a legacy of sharp wit, infectious laughter, and profound resilience. He will forever be cherished by his loved ones and countless friends as someone who cared deeply and boldly in all of his pursuits. His light will continue to live on in those that he loved and all who were blessed to know him.

Will was welcomed into Heaven by his maternal grandparents, Sidney Rhea and Joyce "JJ" Hughes; his aunt and uncle, Elizabeth "Libby" and Jack Keene; and his cousin, Shea Keene.

He is survived by his parents, Adam and Lacy Hodges; his sister, Dixie Lei Shoemake (Bryce); his nephew, Clayton Lee Shoemake; his paternal grandparents, Eunice DeBeth and Gavin Eugene Hodges.

He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Lana Myers (Cecil), Sid Hughes, John Hughes (Jan), Tim Hodges (Kathy) and Samuel Hodges (Christy).

Will is survived by his cousins, Chase Myers and Clint Myers; Blaine Anderson; John Ethan Hughes (Cassidy) and John Ethan Hughes III; Turner Hughes and Mary Claire Hughes; Anna Lockhart (Blake) and Meredith Lockhart; and Jennifer Sasser (Steven).

The Hodges Family wants to extend their love and gratitude to  Austin Perkins, Marlana Perkins Hedgepeth and Dr. Hope Perkins; deepest thanks to Dr. John F. Hassell and Dr. Taylor Evans Ulmer.

The visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 9:30am until 11:00am at Franklin Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in honor of Will to Laurel Little Theatre and the diabetic organization, Breakthrough T1D.