Rev. Bill Riddick

Rev. Bill Riddick, age 78, of Gulfport, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in Biloxi. Rev. Riddick was saved and later called to the Ministry in Fairfield,California and studied for the ministry at Vallejo Junior College, Pepperdine University, University of Southern Mississippi and received a Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Easonion Baptist Seminary in 1975. He entered the field of Evangelism in 1984 after having been the founder and Pastor of the Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Ocean Springs. Beginning in his living room in April 1967, with eight people, the church grew to a membership of over 1,000 and has exceeded that number in attendance. Under the leadership of Rev. Riddick the church started the Ocean Springs Christian School, Ocean Springs Boy's Home (which later consolidated with Faith's Children's Home), an active deaf ministry and led the state in Baptisms for several years. While still a pastor, Rev. Riddick traveled extensively, preaching in some of the largest churches, on television and radio, at civic auditoriums, and in several foreign countries. He was also a real estate broker on the Coast for many years. He was preceded in death by three brothers, I.D. Riddick, James Riddick, and Van Riddick. Rev. Riddick is survived by his wife Joan Jones Riddick; two daughters, Anita Champagne (Randy), Lisa Karnes (Tony); a son, Dale Ray Riddick (Sandie); a sister, Elaine Murphree; a brother, Jack Riddick; seven grandchildren, Daniel Riddick (Jen), Anna Riddick, Amy Groover (Richard), Kayla Karnes and Colton Karnes, Juliana Champagne and Chloe Champagne; and two great-grandchildren, Braden and Laney Riddick. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 6 until 10:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Monday, November 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, Canal Road, Gulfport where friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com