Ronald Anthony Balius Sr.

Mr. Ronald Anthony Balius Sr., age 82, of Biloxi, MS, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2017, in Biloxi. Ronald was born on November 13, 1935 in Biloxi, MS to Floyd A. Balius and Otis Middleton Conway. He was a Drill Instructor, Motor Transport Officer and a Captain in the United States Marine Corps (RET). He also was employed by the following companies throughout his life: Oceaneering International Inc., Sea Eagle Marine Service, Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Palmer Foundry Co., 3380 Civil Engineering Group-Maintenance Division and Harrison County. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, camping, dancing, playing darts and pool, building and flying model airplanes and antique cars. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #2434, a lifetime member and governor of the D'Iberville Moose Lodge #5145, the Gulf Coast Dart Association and the Golden Age Senior Group. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Melba O. Brumbaugh Balius, parents, and siblings, Clyde E. Balius, Jerrilee King and David Conway. Survivors include his children, Rhonda L. Balius of Biloxi, Ronald A. (Aline) Balius Jr. of Ocean Springs and Tina M. Cowart of Ocean Springs, grandchildren, Olivia S. (Natalie) Geiser, Ashleen M. Balius and Hunter A. Balius, all of Ocean Springs, siblings, Gordon (Donna) Balius of West Palm Beach,FL, Edward (Joann) Conway of Covington, LA, Eileen (Wayne) Gehrmann of Ocean Springs and Regina (Frank) Dies of Metairie, LA and his pet Schnauzer, Maddie. Visitation will be on Friday, January 12, 2018, from 12 noon until 1:00 pm, with a 1:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the Humane Society of South MS, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. A special thank you to the Merit Health Med-Surg Unit and Kindred Hospice for their compassionate care of our father. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.