William Turner Wood

Dr. William Turner Wood, Sr., died on January 10, 2021, in Gulfport, MS, a few days shy of his 94th birthday. Bill was born on January 21, 1927 in Gulfport. He grew up in Pass Christian among a large, loving extended family and many friends. Bill attended Pass Christian Schools through the eleventh grade. He graduated from Perkinston Junior College High School in an accelerated program in the summer of 1944 in order to graduate before being drafted. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy days before turning 18 in January of 1945. He served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations until his honorable discharge in June of 1946. Bill attended Mississippi State University from 1947 – 1949, where he was active in Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. For the rest of his life, he was a devoted Bulldog fan and was proud that so many family members went to State. (Hail State!) Bill attended Loyola University School of Dentistry. During his senior year, he joined the U.S. Army Dental Corps and graduated with the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1953. He was then assigned to Fort Hood to complete his military obligation. Bill opened his general dentistry practice in Gulfport in 1955. He greatly enjoyed his dental career and seeing his patients. His son Chuck joined him in the practice during the 1980’s until Bill retired in December 1992. During his career, he was a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Mississippi Dental Association and The Fifth District (Gulf Coast) Dental Association. He was very proud of achieving designation as a Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry in 1982. Bill was a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church where he worshipped and served over the years as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Commentator and Usher. He served numerous terms on the parish council, including as president, and on the parish finance council. He was appointed to the Diocese of Biloxi’s finance council. In later years, he was a member of Holy Family Parish. Bill was a member of the Pass Christian Yacht Club since his youth and was awarded Lifetime membership for his years of service to the club, including many years as chair of the membership committee. He was also a member of the Pass Christian Historical Society. One of the accomplishments of which he was most proud was his appointment to the Pass Christian School Board during the 1960’s, including serving several terms as its president. Bill grew up on the water and enjoyed sailing, fishing and crabbing during his youth in several boats handcrafted by his master carpenter father, and later fishing in his Seabird with family and friends. He particularly enjoyed being a member of the Ambassadors’ Tennis Club (“they let their racquets do their talking”). He played sports of all kinds while growing up and earned accolades for his pitching and hitting prowess in the summer fast pitch softball leagues during the late 1940’s. While coaching the Pass Christian ladies’ summer league team, he met a pretty brunette outfielder on the Gulfport team and the rest was history. Bill married Catherine Jermyn on August 19, 1951 in St. Paul Catholic Church. They raised 4 children and shared 2 daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren. They loved travelling and made friends wherever they went. They both enjoyed many happy times with friends, especially at their corner table at the Yacht Club. Catherine and Bill enjoyed a long, happy life together until her passing in March of 2014. The family is comforted in knowing that they are reunited. Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Catherine, his parents Leola and Robert DeMetz and Bill Wood, and his brother Robert DeMetz. Bill is survived by his four children: daughters Cathy and Lauri; sons Billy and wife Mary, and Chuck and wife Amy, all of Pass Christian; and four grandchildren: Guy of Alexandria, VA, and Mary Anne, Morey and William, all of Pass Christian, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wish to thank Dr. Thomas Blanks, Dr. Wakkas Tayara and the physicians and staff at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and Pass Christian Health and Rehabilitation Center for the compassionate care of our Dad and Papa during his illness. We are also grateful to Regina Cook for all she did for both of our parents for many years. Funeral services will be private. To honor Bill’s memory, donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Holy Family Church, 22342 Evangeline Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Wood family. View and sign the online tribute at www.BOKFH.COM