Feb. 14, 1928 – Dec. 2, 2013

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Bill Allain, 85, of Natchez, who died Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson, will be at noon Saturday at St. Mary Basillica in Natchez.

Burial will follow in Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Sebrell Funeral Home.

Visitation for will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Mississippi State Capital under the direction of Sebrell Funeral Home. A state memorial service will follow.

Allain was born Feb. 14, 1928, in Washington, the son of Capt. Henry G. and Alice Leona Smith Allain.

He served as the state’s 59th governor from 1984-1988, after having spent the prior four years as State Attorney General. Governor Allain’s vision, leadership and legal ability literally transformed the structure of Mississippi state government.

As Attorney General, his signature accomplishment was a successful lawsuit to prohibit members of the legislature from serving on executive boards and agencies. In state court, he argued that officials could not serve in the executive branch. The Supreme Court of Mississippi in Allain v. Alexander ruled in favor of Attorney General Allain and ordered the separation the two branches of government. The decision in Allain v. Alexander is often referred to as “Mississippi’s Marbury v. Madison.”

His victory in this landmark case strengthened the Mississippi executive branch and streamlined Mississippi government after the court’s mandate was carried out in the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1984.

While serving as the state’s chief executive, Governor Allain continued his support constitutional reform and consumer advocacy. He worked to restructure the State Board of Education and reform the Mississippi Highway Department.

An amendment to the Mississippi Constitution allowing the governor to succeed himself was passed during his term with his backing. However, he chose not to seek a second term as governor.

Allain’s administration was also noted for bringing women and minorities into leadership positions of government. “Bill Allain demanded diversity and opened doors that had previously been closed. By doing so, he created opportunities for me and other women to serve the state and grow professionally,” said Jo Ann Klien, who worked as Gov. Allain’s press secretary.

As Attorney General, he built a solid reputation as a consumer advocate by preventing utility rate hikes and keeping a nuclear waste site out of the state.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame University and earned his law degree at the University of Mississippi in 1950. Following graduation from law school, he briefly practiced law in Natchez.

During the Korean War, Governor Allain answered the call of his country and served three years, much of which was in combat zones, in the United States Army Infantry. Following his discharge from the Army in 1953, Gov. Allain practiced law in Natchez until 1962 when he was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the State of Mississippi.

From 1962 until 1975, as Assistant Attorney General he represented the State of Mississippi in cases before state courts, the federal district and circuit court of appeals and the United States Supreme Court. In 1975, he left the Attorney General’s Office and returned to the private practice of law in Jackson, until his election as Attorney General in 1979.

After leaving office in January 1988, Gov. Allain resumed the private practice of law in Jackson and remained active in legal, political and civic affairs. Gov. Allain was known as an accomplished attorney, legal scholar, statesman, fiscal conservative, consumer advocate and a true friend of the people.

A man of strong faith, Gov. Allain was a devout Catholic. Out of the public eye, he spent many holidays serving food to the poor at non-profit organizations. He was a lion when it came to fighting for what was right, but a lamb when it was time to care for others. To date, Gov. Allain is the only Catholic to have served as Mississippi’s chief executive.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Henry T. Allain and one sister, Mary Peale.

Survivors include two sisters, Margaret “Maggie” Gibbs, of Florence, and Mildred Newsome of Houston, Texas, and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.

Special thanks to his devoted care givers, Formeika “Mikey” Bryant, Brittany Slaughter, Jeanette Jackson, Josetta Mahoney, Teresa Mahoney and T&L sitters.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to these organizations, Stewpot Community Service, 845 West Amite Street, Jackson, MS, 39203, The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 39154, Jackson, MS, 39286, St. Mary Basillica, 107 South Union Street, Natchez, MS, 39120