Benjamin Neal Moats

Mr. Benjamin "Ben" Neal Moats, Sr., age 67, of Vancleave, MS, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2009, at Oschsner's Hospital in New Orleans, LA. Ben was born December 14, 1941, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He served his country in the U. S. Air Force, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was transferred to Keesler AFB in 1970 and retired with an Honorable Discharge after achieving the rank of M/Sgt. in 1979 and serving 20 years of duty. He resided in Ocean Springs until 2004 when he relocated to Vancleave. After retiring from the Air Force, Ben worked for 22 years at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. Ben was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Anna Margaret Moats of West Virginia; in-laws, Duane and Altie Clem of Oklahoma; and twin grandsons, Michael and Mark McLeod of Hurley. Survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Mrs. Wanda L. Moats of Vancleave, three daughters, Barbara (Buford) Tolbert of Gautier, Kathie Beaugez of Ocean Springs, Pamela (Scott) McLeod of Hurley; one son, Benjamin (Rhoda) Moats, Jr. of De Leon Springs, FL; grandchildren, Tracey (Timmy) Tolbert, Candace Tolbert, Tony McLeod, Andrew Beaugez, SPC. Tyler (Whitney) McLeod, Anna McLeod, Benjamin Moats, III; two great-grandchildren, Colby Tolbert and Cheyenne Young; one sister, Anne (Art) Williams of Iowa; and one brother, Dan (Carole) Moats of West Virginia. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at 12 noon at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. Rev. Norman Bagby officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507.