Joseph Waites

“Coach” Joseph Waites, 81, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. 

Coach Waites was born and raised in Bay Springs, MS. He graduated from Bay Springs High School in 1962 and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1967 with an Industrial Technology Degree. 

Coach Waites was a huge inspiration to so many. He started teaching mechanical drawing and industrial arts in 1969 for D’Iberville High School. Coach Waites started his football coaching journey in 1970 for D’Iberville High School. He coached D'Iberville High School football for 35 years, St. John football for 7 years, and St. Martin High School football for 9 years. He was the Head football coach for DHS in 1988, the same year, he was named the Burger King Coach of the Year. Coach Waites served as the Assistant Defensive Coach in the State All-Star game in 1992. Waites was also the Head Golf Coach and a Track Coach while at D’Iberville. He was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gulf Coast Chapter National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2003. With his mother unaware, he also enjoyed competing in Drag Racing. Coach Waites loved to boil shrimp, crabs, and crawfish, go shrimping in his younger days, and watching his granddaughters dance recitals. No matter where he went or what he did, Coach bled black and gold. 

The family would like to extend a huge thank you for sharing the impact that “Coach” Joey Waites had on so many lives.

Coach Waites was preceded in his death by his parents, Victor Gale Waites and Leila May Evans; and his son, Casey Joe Waites. 

Coach Waites is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ruth Miley Waites; son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Angie Waites; granddaughters, Alexia and Halle Waites; and many special in-laws, nieces, and nephews. 

Friends may visit Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home Ocean Springs on Monday, January 20, 2025 from 11am to 1pm; service will be held at 1pm. Graveside service to follow at Lake Como Cemetery in Bay Springs, MS on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 12 pm (weather permitting).

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of “Coach” Joseph Waites.