Walter V. "P.I." Williams

Walter V. “P.I.” Williams, 83, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024. P.I. was born August 2, 1940 in Biloxi, MS.

After graduating from Biloxi High School, he attended Perkinston Junior College (Gulf Coast Community College) on a basketball and baseball scholarship. Upon graduation from Perk, P.I. attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Following graduation, he went to work for Mississippi Power Company and held various management positions. After 35 years of service, in April 1998, he retired. Following his retirement, P.I. and his son-in-law started BPI Enterprises, Inc, developing service stations and convenience stores on the coast. 

Over the years, he became active in several civic organizations. P.I. served as President of the Gulfport Jaycees, President of the American Red Cross, President of the Harrison County United Way, Vice-President of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the committee that consolidated the Chambers of Commerce in Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach and Orange Grove, President of the Revelers Carnival Association, selected as King of Revelers, Captain of Gulf Coast Carnival Association, Chairman of the Board of Gulf Coast Carnival Association, Chairman of the original Mardi Gras Museum at the visitors center in Biloxi, Vice-President of the Board of Chateau LeGrand Condominiums, and Chairman of the City of Biloxi Architectural Review Commission. He was also Chairman of the Gulf Coast Chambers merger in 1988. P.I. was the first recipient of the Spirit of the Gulf Coast in 1999.

While at Perk, P.I. met the love of his life and wife, Janet Eklund. Jan and P.I. were married on June 3, 1961, in Biloxi. Together, they had three children, Van, Keith, and Kathy, and five grandchildren. They were members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church P.I. served as Financial Secretary and Senior Warden of the Vestry and was the first Licensed Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader. He was the chairman of the building committee for St. Mark’s Church following Hurricane Katrina, was a member of the Rotary Club, and received The Paul Harris Fellow. 

P.I. was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Walter Williams; and brother, Bobby Williams. 

Survivors include his wife, Jan Williams; children, Van (Jennifer) Williams, Keith Williams, and Kathy (Bitty) Mohler; grandchildren, Keith (Torie) Williams Jr., Kyle (Sarah) Williams, Chase (Letha) Mohler, Blake Mohler, and Julianna Mohler; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Vanna (Gary) Shemper; and sister-in-law, Sara Williams. 

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, January 29, 2024 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Friends are invited to visit one hour prior. Interment will follow at St. Mark’s Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease. 

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Walter V. “P.I.” Williams.