Stephen Kenneth Wetzel, Sr.

Mr. Stephen Kenneth Wetzel, Sr., (Steve), age 69, of Ocean Springs, MS, went to be with His Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. Born September 19, 1938, in Biloxi, Steve lived his life with a strong love for the Lord which was evidenced by the impartation of faith to his children, grandchildren and countless others. Affectionately called "Best" by his grandchildren he found great joy in supporting their every activity. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He served in the Mississippi National Guard. His career included positions with Ferson Optics Division of Bausch and Lomb in Ocean Springs; The Boeing Company Saturn/Apollo Program, Michoud Test Facility, New Orleans, La.; and systems test engineer with Saturn Launch Complex Kennedy Space Center Florida. He had been employed with Ingalls Shipbuilding/Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding since 1969 where he was currently Manager, Trials and Support Department and was responsible for ship sea trials and testing. He was on the Board of Elders at Cedar Lake Christian Assembly in Biloxi and was a past president and member of the Full Gospel Business Mens Association. He also served a term as a Commissioner on the Jackson County Port Authority. Mr. Wetzel received the Department of Defense Value Engineering Award in 1995 and was awarded the US Navy AEGIS Shipbuilding Program Excellence Award four times for outstanding performance. In addition, he was honored as a recipient of the Group Award for AEGIS Excellence in 2006 for trials conduct. He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, National Defense Industrial Association, Industrial Association, Industrial Committee for Test and Evaluation, International Test and Evaluation Association and Port of Pascagoula Advisory Group. Mr. Wetzel was preceded in death by his parents, Jacobina Sekul Gilich of Biloxi and Percy J. Wetzel, Jr. of Biloxi. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 50 years and partner in ministry, Brenda Chastant Wetzel of Ocean Springs; his children Carol (Mark) Roybal of Ocean Springs; Ken (Dawn) Wetzel of Biloxi; Kathlene (Bobby) Atkinson of Gulfport; Chris (Beth) Wetzel of Biloxi, thirteen grandchildren Anne Lauren Roybal, Brennan Roybal, Stephen Roybal, Elissa Roybal, Stephen "Stevie" Wetzel III, Elizabeth Wetzel, Paul Wetzel, Ashley Atkinson, Wesley Atkinson, Landon Atkinson, John Wetzel, David Wetzel and Michael Wetzel; two brothers Jim Wetzel of Biloxi and Andrew "Fo-Fo" (Serena) Gilich of Biloxi; two sisters Andrea Gilich of Biloxi and Jaye (Buddy) Brice of Biloxi; stepfather Andrew M. Gilich, Sr., of Biloxi; sister-in-law Margaret Raye (Andre’) Davis of Vancleave; and numerous nieces and nephews Visitation will be on Saturday, September 6, 2008, from 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, with a 2 PM church service, all at Cedar Lake Christian Assembly on Cedar Lake Road in North Biloxi. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.