Wilfred J. "Billy" Rose

Mr. Wilfred J. “Billy” Rose Sr., 79, died Wednesday July 6, 2005. Mr. Rose was born in Biloxi December 6, 1925, and was a retired master electrician, well-known for his electrical expertise in the maritime/seafood industry all along the Gulf Coast for the past 60 years. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in WWII, serving on the USS Destroyer Escort 332, a ship with numerous battle citations from victorious encounters with German U-Boats in the Atlantic. He was a member of the Biloxi VFW Post 2434 and a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1244 of Biloxi. He was born with a servant’s heart and will be best remembered by his generosity and his ability to always be of service to others. Mr. Rose was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Josephine Cazeaux Rose Sr. and three sisters, Eunice Rose Kettering, Grace Rose McCormick and Mercedes Rose Harun. He was a descendent of Jean-Baptiste Baudreau dit Graveline who came to the Gulf Coast with Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville in 1699. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Frye Rose, two sons Gerald W. Rose of Biloxi and Wilfred J. Rose Jr. and wife Sheley of Sevierville TN; three daughters Victoria Rose Rosetti and husband Jake of Biloxi, Wanda Rose Cockrell and husband Barry of Jackson, and Rebecca Rose Riley and husband Keith of Lexington, Ohio; two brothers Ronald J. Rose and wife Betty of Biloxi and Charles Rose and wife Elaine of Ocean Springs; one sister, Dorothy Rose Wood and husband ZW (Woody) of Hattiesburg ;eleven grandchildren: Elizabeth, Damien and Katie Rosetti; Josie Rose Forde and husband Michael, Wilfred J. (Will) Rose, III; Caroline, Brian and Mollie Cockrell; Rachel, Gretchen and Keegan Riley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mississippi Chapter of the American Cancer Society. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday July 8 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Biloxi, at 10 a.m. where friends may call one hour before service time. Burial will be in Biloxi City Cemetery.