Reginald "Ed" Bossier

Reginald “ED” Edwin Bossier was born to Reginald Clyde and Emma Kate Seal Bossier in Madisonville, LA on January 20, 1944. Although always very fond and proud of his Louisiana roots, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Biloxi, was his home. Ed’s early years were spent with family and friends enjoying the farmlands of Louisiana, where they owned and maintained businesses in the industry. Ed and his family later settled in Biloxi, established Bossier’s Gifts, and made fond memories of running the soda fountain with his sister, Gloria Kate Bossier Compton.

Ed graduated from Gulf Coast Military Academy, attended St. Stanislas College, and was a very proud 1962 graduate of Biloxi High School. After high school, Ed attended the University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson School of Law, with his sights on several careers from medicine to law; but in 1969, Hurricane Camille and his heart brought him home to the family businesses in Biloxi. In 1972, with his father, he opened Bossier’s Grill, which in 1978 became “The Hook, Line and Sinker” Restaurant and Anchor Lounge. Hospitality was in his blood. Through the years, he owned and operated many businesses with his family, including a 69-unit hotel, the Biloxi Travelodge, where he was recognized and won numerous awards. Bossier’s Arcade was a fun stop for Coast youth for some pinball or a quick photo in the picture booth, and in the summer, you could rent a Hobie Cat or a Paddle Boat from his niece or nephews.

Bossier’s Gifts was graciously owned and operated by Ed's mother and family members as a place to go on the coast for swimwear, casual wear, and gifts. The family also owned and operated Bossier’s RV Park, which hosted travelers from all over who enjoyed being within walking distance to the Hook Line and Sinker for oysters on the half shell and luscious libations overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico that Ed loved so much. Ed was fully rich in his history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You could always find Mr. Bossier behind the bar shucking oysters and sharing fine history lessons with a friendly tourist or a frequent local friend. And sometimes, if you were lucky, you might get a night cap aboard a late-night sunset cruise on the Stamas. Ed was “Mr. Hospitality”; his goal was to better his beloved Mississippi Gulf Coast and bring in the visitors. Gov. Ray Mabus appointed Ed in the early 1980s to the MS Tidelands Commission. His love for the Ecosystem along the entire Gulf Coast was tireless; every tree he manicured belonged. Those who worked for Mr. Bossier understood and grew from his training and expertise in tree and foliage management. Mr. Bossier indeed had a silent tree whispering gift.

Ed Bossier was inspirational in bringing dockside gaming and Cruisin' the Coast in the early 1990s. Ed was a longtime member of the MHMA Mississippi Hotel Motel Association and the MRA Mississippi Restaurant Association. He was very active in many civic organizations. He was a proud 32-Degree Mason and Shriner; a member of the 606 Front Beach Elks Lodge; a longstanding member of the Biloxi Yacht Club; a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow and member with over 40 years of perfect attendance of the Biloxi Rotary Club and a frequent visitor of the Edgewater Rotary Club where he enjoyed attending with his daughter, Regina Bossier, also a Paul Harris Fellow.

In 1975, with his first wife, Mollie Pontius, Ed welcomed his one and only daughter, Regina Edwina Bossier, who gave him his only grandson, Drew Matthew Bossier, whom he adored and cherished. In 1993, when he met and fell in love with Katie Ramona Bossier, they shared 33 years of treasured memories and adventures. Although family always came first, they enjoyed traveling the Caribbean together. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Mr. Bossier retired and was so blessed to spend time with family and friends, relaxing by the pool, boating, playing billiards, and traveling. Ed Bossier was a “man’s man”, a lover of all beautiful things. Ed grew up Southern Baptist and had so many memories at Red Bluff Baptist in Covington, Louisiana, and later became a member of First Baptist Biloxi. It was at the historical First Baptist Biloxi on Howard where he married his wife Katie Ramona in June of 2000. Ed was born to wear a Crown and Revel; he loved Mardi Gras! He was a charter member of the Krewe of Neptune and served as the first King in 2010 to bring the Krewe back to life after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He was also a member of the Order of Les Pierrots; a longstanding 50-year member of the Order of Les Badineurs; he was also a proud member of the Order of Revelers and the Ole Biloxi Marching Club, where his daughter helped him make paper flowers when she was a little girl. He enjoyed riding with the Krewe of Neptune for over 40 years, especially in his later years, sharing this with his grandson, Drew.

Ed was loved by so many and was memorable to far more. Ed leaves to carry on his legacy and fire to his loving wife and forever confidant, Katie Bossier; his one and only daughter, Regina Bossier; his grandson, Drew Bossier (Kaitlynn); his sister, Gloria Compton (John); his loving niece, Lisa Glavan (Kenny); nephews, Scott Compton (Holly), Wesley Compton (Barbara) Bradley and Dylan Darby; and sister-in-law, Victoria Yarrow. The extended family reaches far throughout Mississippi and Louisiana and is innumerable. We offer a special thank you to Rian McKeown, Mr. Bossier’s Guy Friday, who has been by his side for over 25 years. We would also like to thank Oschner Gulfport Singing River, Amedysis Home Health, and Vital Care Hospice for caring for Mr. Bossier in his final days.

The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to Dr. William Striegel, Dr. Mahmoud Zayad, and the many physicians and staff who have provided excellent care to Mr. Bossier throughout the years.

Lastly, remember Ed, the man, the legend that was, who gave us so many memories and so many gifts. He shall be with us throughout the years as the ocean moves and will always be a seashell in all hearts… You will always have a piece of Ed Bossier. And then….as he arrives and waves back to his family and friends and into the arms of our Lord, he exclaims, “I'M LATE!”

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Biloxi. The family visit will be from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., and friends are invited to visit after. A celebration of life will follow at the White House Hotel, located at 1230 Beach Blvd, Biloxi.

The burial will be held Monday, April 14, 2025 at Southern Memorial Park at 10:00 a.m. Procession will be from Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home at 675 Howard Avenue at 9:30a.m. This will allow Ed one last ride by all of his properties and the Lighthouse that he loved.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Reginald “ED” Edwin Bossier.