Laurence Paul Williams

Laurence Paul Williams Sr., known to everyone as Willie, died peacefully at his home on October 20, 2016. He was 84 years old. Laurence was born on August 16, 1932 in Cohasset, MA to Laurence and Hilda Williams. In 1950, he graduated from Hackberry (LA) High School, and in 1951 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After basic military training, he was assigned to Keesler AFB, where he trained in radar maintenance and repair. In 1954, he met the love of his life, Margie, at the White House Hotel restaurant in Biloxi. They married on March 19, 1955. After military service, Laurence worked as a civilian instructor of radar technology and maintenance, and later as a logistical engineer. Upon retirement, he was employed by NASA/Martin Marietta as a logistical engineer. In 1982, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Laurence was a lifelong HAM radio operator, call sign W5IIQ. During hurricanes, he assisted Civil Defense by relaying essential information through the HAM network. His other hobbies included electronics, computer technology, and space science. He was a self-taught musician who played several instruments, including the Cajun-style accordion, guitar, banjo, and harmonica. He was a songwriter, poet, and published magazine writer. He will be remembered for his kind, gentle nature, intelligence, and great sense of humor. Laurence was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence Paul Williams and Hilda Johnson Williams; and sons, Ricky Lynn Williams and Laurence Paul Williams, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margie Franklin Williams, his children, Christy Williams-Feeley (Frank), Lila Wineki (Douglas), Michael Williams (Cindy), and Matthew Williams (Kathy), and his sister, Gail Freda (David). He was the proud grandfather of Joshua and Nicole Williams, Tara Smith (Craig), and Ashley Ray (Mark). He was exceptionally proud of his great-grandsons Dax Smith, and soon-to-be-born Theodore Ray. A visitation for the immediate family will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a public viewing at 11:30 a.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. A celebration of his life will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located behind the church, at 3:00 p.m.