William E. Billy Barrett

William Earl “Billy” Barrett, Jr. passed away at home on Saturday, February 23, 2013. He was born in Gulfport on November 8, 1942. After graduating from Gulfport High School in 1960, he attended Perkinston Junior College, now the Perkinston Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, as well as the University of Mississippi. Billy lived in Gulfport his entire life where he began his banking career of over three decades with Gulf National Bank in 1956. He served his country in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967 and was stationed in Turkey. He was a member of the Harrison County Development Commission; the Mississippi Board of Mental Health; the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Chamber President and as an original organizer of the Salute to the Military; the Gulfport Yacht Club, where he sailed and served on the governing board; Krewe of Toots, where he reigned as King Willie X; and the American Bankers Association. Following his banking career, he worked at The Chimneys restaurant for fifteen years. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, having attended church at all three locations. As a youth, he also served as bell ringer and altar boy at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian. Billy was rather unique as he treaded water in both Hurricanes Camille and Katrina, and obviously survived to tell the tales. He was an avid reader of The Sun Herald, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and food lovers’ magazines, including bon appétit and Cook’s Illustrated. He had a wealth of knowledge of the Gulf Coast and entertained children and adults alike with his Coast stories. A favorite pastime of his was dining on the finest, especially at Vrazel’s and Galatoire’s. He was a culinary artist and thoroughly enjoyed using that talent to entertain regularly his family and more than occasionally his friends. Billy was preceded in death by his parents William Earl Barrett, Sr. and Esther Scott Barrett. Survivors are his sister Mary Elizabeth Barrett of Jackson, brother Peter H. Barrett and his wife Fay Nobles Barrett of Gulfport, and brother Ashton Scott Barrett and his wife Celia Martin Barrett of Gulfport. He is also survived by his favorite nephew Bill Barrett of Jackson, his favorite niece Susan Barrett of Cypress, Texas, and his favorite niece Amy Barrett of New Orleans, Louisiana. Visitation will be at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport on Friday, March 1, from noon to 1:30 with a service immediately thereafter. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials for Billy be made to Gulfport Library, 1708 25th Avenue, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com