William Austin, Jr. was born June 12, 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee, but he is a lifelong resident of Desoto County, MS. He resides in his boyhood home in Lake Cormorant, MS and is married to Lynda Turner Austin of Memphis, Tn. He is the father of 3 children, Caroline Rosser, with Bancorpsouth in Oxford MS, Mary Monteith, Senior Partner, Austin Law Firm, Southaven, MS and William Austin, III, with Adworks Outdoor Advertising. Mr. Austin is also the grandfather of four.

He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi in 1956 and received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Memphis, 1972.

He was General Manager of Austin Farms & Dairies from 1956 until 1969, where developed and managed largest dairy cattle herd and operation in the state of Mississippi. Also, he was instrumental in building the most modern milking parlor facility in the South. In 1969, farming interests were sold and he embarked upon new career in law, where upon graduation from law school and successful completion of bar exams, was admitted to practice of law in states of Mississippi and Tennessee. He worked general practice of law for the firm of Garner & Garner in Hernando, MS from 1972 until 1977.

Mr. Austin opened his own law practice in 1977 in Hernando, MS for general practice of law with emphasis in municipal law. He opened a branch office in Southaven, MS with emphasis in real estate law in 1980. In 1982 he was appointed Attorney for the Board of Supervisors for DeSoto County, MS and remained in that position until retirement in 2000. While serving in that capacity was also attorney for DeSoto County Planning Commission, on the Board of Adjustment, and E-911 Commission.

Professional associations include, a fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation membership in American Bar, Mississippi Bar, Tennessee Bar, he was president of the Desoto County Bar, and a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar. He served as President of the Mississippi Association of County Attorneys and as President of the National Association of Civil Attorneys.

Have served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning, Commissioner of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, State Committee of Employee/Employer Relations for the Mississippi National Guard, Past President of Desoto County Economic Council, member of the Board of Directors of University of Mississippi Alumni Association, member of the Foundation Board for the University, and a member of the Lamar Order.

Mr. Austin served two terms as President of the Mid-South Fair (the youngest at that time) and President of Libertyland the year of its inauguration. He served for 20 years in the Mississippi National Guard, and retired with the rank of Major. He is a 33rd degree Mason and Shriner and a member of the University Club of Memphis. He is also a member of the St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Southaven, MS.

From 2001 until present, he has served as Executive Director of the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority.