Joseph "Joe" Westerburg

Joe Westerburg passed away at his home in Biloxi on May 8, 2014 at the age of 86. Joe was born in Winnsboro, LA on December 4, 1927. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Miller Westerburg; parents, William B. and Minnie Mae Martin Westerburg; his brothers, William, Louis, and Harmon; and his sister Louise Miller; and his paternal and maternal grandparents. Survivors include his loving, devoted wife of 32 years, Verna M. Shroyer Westerburg; daughters, Elizabeth A. Westerburg and Donna K. (Lee) Slice; grandchildren, Laura (Stephen) Greenslade and Nolan Slice. He is also suvived by Nancy Shroyer, Dr. Duane B. (Terrie) Shroyer and Lisa (Gary) Hilton; grandchildren, Dr. Dean (Dr. Whitney) Shroyer, Michelle and Drew Shroyer, Ricky and Kenneth Polk, Nikolas and Allyssa Hilton, six great- grandchildren and one great great-grandson; sister-in-law, Claudine Westerburg; and several nieces and nephews, including his namesake, Joe Westerburg of Winnsboro, LA. Joe graduated from Winnsboro High School and joined the Army Air Corps during WW II, serving his country in Europe on 50 missions. He also had two detached tours in Vietnam. Joe had a total of 33 years in the Air Force. During those years, he earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and a ME degree in Educational Administration. He retired as CMSgt and always said, "The biggest honor of my career was bing selected among the first group of CMSgts in the USAF!". His church home was the Protestant Service at Keesler Larcher Chapel. He sang in the choir, served as Lay Reader and in his earlier years at the Chapel he also taught adult Sunday School. Joe was "Mr. Fix It" for many friends, neighbors and loved ones. After his retirement from the air force, he was an instructor at MGCCC, Jeff Davis Campus in Gulfport and the C/E Officers' Course at Keesler. He retired from Civil Service in 1993 as a Supervisory Instructional Specialist. Joe volunteered for several years at Keesler Medical Center and in the Retirees' Activities Office. He was a member of the American Legion in Ocean Springs, a supporter of AFSA, and a loyal SAINTS fan. He was the BEST husband, father, grandfather and uncle! He was a devout Christian and a True Southern Gentleman. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and devoted pets, Maggie and MacIntosh. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Humane Society of South MS, 2615 25th Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501. The family would like to thank Genvita Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their wonderful care and compassion. The funeral service will be 9:15 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2014, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, in Biloxi where friends may visit from 8:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. with military honors.