William "Doug" Howard

William "Doug" Howard, age 76, of Pass Christian, died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in Gulfport. He previously served in the U.S. Navy where he served aboard the USS Brown. He graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville and retired from NASA at Stennis Space Center after a 31 year career. After retirement he built a fifty foot shrimp boat which he operated from the Pass C hristian Harbor. He was a member of VFW Post 5931, USS Brown Association, and a former member of Pass Christian Volunteer Fire Department, Pass Christian Harbor Advisory Committee, and the Gulf Coast Charter Boat Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel K. and Lois Moore Howard. Mr. Howard is survived by his wife, Wanda J. Howard of Pass Christian; a daughter Rebecca McSparrin (John) of Perkinston; two sons, William D. Howard, Jr. (Liz) of Diamondhead and Gerald L. Howard of Pass Christian; a sister, Ann Hill (Jim) of Belk, AL; four grandchildren, Lee Howard, Samantha McSparrin, Jennifer McSparrin, and Chris McSparrin; and one great-grandchild, Ila Lei Howard. Visitation will be Friday, January 18, 2008 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Roseland Park Cemetery in Hattiesburg. Memorial donations may be made to ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Rd., Ste. 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104 (888 949-2577). View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com