Laurence Paul Williams

Laurence Paul Williams, Jr., known to everyone as Paul, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 17, 2013. He was 55 years old. Paul was born June 10, 1957 in Biloxi. He was a lifelong resident of Ocean Springs and a parishioner of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. He believed in eternal life through his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul was a 1975 graduate of Ocean Springs High School, and played football under the tutelage of Coach Hugh Pepper. He was a chemist at Mississippi Power for 31 years, and formed many valued friendships there. Paul loved history, and was a self-taught expert on all matters pertaining to World War II. He greatly admired members of the military, particularly those who fought and died during World War II. He was a vintage automobile enthusiast who loved his recently restored 1969 Pontiac G.T.O. He participated in Cruisin’ the Coast, and enjoyed driving his car along Front Beach in Ocean Springs. Paul was a loving, devoted son, brother, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Ricky Lynn Williams, his paternal grandparents, Laurence and Hilda Williams, and his maternal grandparents, William and Edna Mae Franklin. He is survived by his parents, Laurence Paul Williams, Sr. and Margie Marie (Franklin) Williams, sisters Christy Williams-Feeley (Frank), Lila Wineki (Doug), brothers Michael Williams (Cindy), and Matthew Williams (Kathy), nieces Tara Smith (Craig), Ashley Ray (Mark), Nicole Williams, a nephew, Joshua Williams, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 5pm to 7pm at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11am at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Ocean Springs. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. For those who can attend, a celebration of his life will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located behind St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, at 1pm.