Luther Carroll "Billy" Gollott

Biloxi lost a well-known and respected member of its local seafood industry, the Knights of Columbus a tireless worker, and Ole Miss a rabid fan when Luther Carroll "Billy" Gollott died Sunday, September 17, 2006, at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. His family and many acquaintances lost a loved one and a friend with a heart as big as the great outdoors he loved so much that day as well. Those who knew Billy will never forget his hearty laugh, his love of a good joke and Jimmy Buffett music, or his ability to make even the newest of strangers immediately feel like his best friend in the world. Nor will they forget the many accomplishments of a man who measured success most by how much he made others smile. Born April 11, 1949, Billy was a lifelong resident of Biloxi, a 1967 graduate of Notre Dame High School and a 1971 graduate of the University of Mississippi with a B.B.A degree. He then embarked on a career in the seafood industry and wildlife management and conservation. From 1964 to the present he was involved in various self-owned and family-owned seafood industry ventures and upon his death was a self-employed seafood broker. In 1979 he was appointed by the governor of Mississippi to a post on the newly formed Department of Wildlife Conservation. He served as a commissioner on that body through 1983, including as chairman in 1982 and 1983. He also served on the Mississippi Heritage Commission from 1979 to 1983 and there helped purchase land for public use while preserving its natural state. He was also elected to the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fishing Bank where he served from 1978 until 1984, was a member of the Louisiana Shrimp Association, the American Shrimp Canners Association and served as president of the Gulf Coast Oyster Association. Upon becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus, Biloxi #1244, on October 30, 1975, Billy served in any capacity needed to help others. He was a long-time member of a successful Knights of Columbus softball team and football coaches across the coast will remember him as a driving force and deal maker behind the annual Shrimp Bowl high school football fund-raising game. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus First Degree Team, was honored as Knight of the Year in 1999 and became a Fourth Degree member of the D'Iberville Assembly on June 1, 2002. He served as Deputy Grand Knight for two years before receiving one of his most-treasured honors, selection as Grand Knight in 2002. He served in that capacity for three years and considered the opportunity to be one of the milestone accomplishments of his life. He was a long-time member of Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral, a member of the Slavic Benevolent Association and an active member of the Mercy Cross Booster Club. Many former members of the Crusaders Football Team will also recall him as a volunteer coach for the program for many years. Billy was also the promoter and an honorary member of the long-standing local band, ConspiraSea, and particularly delighted in singing harmony with the group on Brown-Eyed Girl at any opportunity. Many will also remember him as the master of ceremonies for wonderful parties each year on Mardi Gras Day and Christmas on the Water; parties where no one was turned away at the door of his Beach Boulevard home and his only rule was that everyone in attendance had to have a good time. He had a great love for Mardi Gras and was active at one point in the Gulf Coast Carnival Association and Neptune, was an avid sport fisherman, a renowned prankster who delighted in pulling someone's leg in ways that you could not help but love him for it and a man totally devoted to his family. He is survived by his heart and soul, Gwen; mother, Helen Gollott, of Biloxi; one daughter, Kelly Beeson, of Biloxi; two granddaughters, Lauren Beeson and Taylor Beeson of Biloxi; one step-son, Kenneth Varney and his wife, Dawn, of Ocean Springs; one step-grandson, Chandler Varney, of Ocean Springs; one brother, Jerry Gollott and his wife Sandra, of Biloxi; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Luther D. "Dan" Gollott of Biloxi; two brothers, Francis Ray Gollott and Wayne Gollott; his paternal grandparents, Bell Cox Gollott and Armon Gollott, and his maternal grandparents, Albert Pickich, Jr. and Stella Fountain Pickich. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 20, 2006, from 5 until 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral where friends may visit from 12 noon until service time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park.