NATCHEZ — Bill Rush Mosby Jr. was a friend to all of Natchez, area residents said.

Through his work at Silas Simmons, LLP and his involvement in many community organizations Mosby will be remembered for his wisdom, wit and steadfast nature, said friend and fellow Rotary Club member Forest Persons.

“He was just an all around good guy,” Persons said. “He was everyone’s buddy. I don’t know of anyone that could ever be mad at Bill Mosby. He was just that kind of person.”

Mosby, 73, died Wednesday at Claiborne County Hospital in Port Gibson after a brief illness.

For 50 years, Mosby worked as a certified public accountant at Silas Simmons.

He joined the firm in 1960 and became a partner in 1970, serving as managing partner for many years.

He retired from his position as a partner in 2007, but continued to serve his clients at the firm.

He was equally dedicated to serving the community in which he lived, friends said.

Mosby was an active board member of the Historic Natchez Foundation, a charter member and past chairman of the Natchez-Adams Economic Development Authority, past president of both the Natchez Trace Kiwanis Club and the Natchez Rotary Club, a past board member of Natchez Community Hospital and a past board member and treasurer of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

He was also an officer of the Natchez Jaycees and an active member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church where he served as the past chairman of the administrative board, finance committee, trustees, treasurer and Sunday school.

Persons, the administrator of the Natchez Rotary Club said Mosby was the type of person to whom people flocked.

“People just enjoyed being around him,” Persons said. “He was just a friend to everyone.”

Persons said Mosby was member of the Natchez Rotary Club for more than 20 years and was faithful in his attendance and also his service.

“He used to have a big round table in the back of the meeting and everyone wanted to be at that table because everyone enjoyed his company,” Persons said. “My grandson like to go to Rotary as my guest so he could sit at that table with Bill.”

He served the club as president, past-president and president-elect, and had also served as treasurer, bulletin chairman and served on the Christmas auction committee for more than 10 years.

“He served Rotary faithfully, like he did everything he was involved in,” Persons said. “He was a dedicated person.”

He was a Paul Harris Fellow which meant he had donated more than $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation and also a Rotary Foundation Benefactor, meaning an additional $1,000 lump-sum donation had been made to the foundation in his name.

Mimi Miller, director of the Historic Natchez Foundation, said she always looked to Mosby for advice on projects important to the foundation.

“He was steadfast and was always a solid rock to lean on,” Miller said. “He was good natured but could be firm when it was needed. He was respected by everyone because of that.”

Mosby was president of the foundation board of directors in 1997 and served several terms as the board’s treasurer. He was the current treasurer.

Miller said it was Mosby who was instrumental in securing and managing funds needed for current renovations being made at the Historic Natchez Foundation building.

“He appreciated very much the history of Natchez and understood the importance of maintaining the historic character of the town,” Miller said. “He was passionate about his town, but always had a voice of reason.”

While spending much of his time serving his clients and community, Mosby enjoyed his weekly Thursday golf games and spending time with his family.

“We (recently) got back from a district conference cruise to Cozumel,” Persons said. “He really enjoyed the time there with his wife, son, (daughter-in-law) and grandchildren.”

Services for Mosby will be at 3 p.m. today at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Natchez City Cemetery.

Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until service time today in the Jefferson Street Christian Life Center.