Joseph Marion Williams

Joseph Marion Williams, known to family and friends as Marion, passed February 28, 2014. He was born to the late Carroll “Peck” and Ophelia Langlinais Williams on May 26, 1926. Marion attended St. Michaels, Sacred Heart and Notre Dame, being in the first graduating class in 1944 from Notre Dame. He was employed at Dejean Packing Co., which his family owned, and later in Washington, DC with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He served in the Merchant Marines during WWII and in the Army Signal Corps during the Korean conflict. Marion was baptized at St. Michael Catholic Church and was a lifelong parishioner. He was an usher for 40 years and instrumental in rewriting St. Michael Parish’s sacramental records that had been damaged during Hurricane Katrina. This process took 2 ½ years to preserve the history and records of nearly 100 years of Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Marriages and Deaths at St. Michael Parish. On any Sunday, Marion could be found at one of our Coast’s fine restaurants sipping champagne at the champagne brunch. Marion was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald; partner, Holmes Love; and beloved pet, Terry. Marion is survived by his sister, Beverly Kovacevich; brother, Glenn Williams; many nieces and nephews; and good neighbor, Richard Blanchard. The family would like to thank Dr. Ben Cheney, Dr. Michael Cunningham, Dr. Eva Magiros, Biloxi Regional Nurses, Notre Dame Hospice, Father Greg Barras and the many friends of support during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to St. Michael Catholic Church Building Fund, St. Michael’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, 177 First Street, Biloxi, MS 39530 and the Humane Society, 2615 25th Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501. A celebration Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 6, 2014 at St. Michael Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m., where friends may visit 2 hours prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Father Greg Barras will officiate at the Mass, with interment at Southern Memorial Park to follow. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Come celebrate a good life with family and friends at the Slavonian Lodge following the services. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com