Waldo "Wally" Hartel

Waldo “Wally” Hartel, passed away at Merit Health Hospital in Biloxi on Sunday, April 2, 2017. He was born on November 17, 1927, in Biloxi, MS. He married his wife of 67 years on June 5, 1949. Mr. Hartel was an airline agent, a pilot and a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed boating and fishing trips to Louisiana. One of his favorite memories was the three-year project with his dad building a 45 foot Biloxi yacht and launching it in 1951. The boat is still cruising the gulf waters today. In his later years Mr. Hartel developed a love for music and led music several years at Cedar Lake United Methodist Church. He sang at multiple nursing homes and churches and considered this his ministry. He is survived by his wife, Betty Groome Hartel; his son, Wally (Myra) Hartel of Hattiesburg; his daughter, Becky (Jerry) Johnston of Gulfport; his grandchildren, Janna (Cody) Hinton, Forrest (Maurie) Hartel, Bailey Hartel and Haden Boyette; and his great-grandchildren, Riley Wiest, Stella Wiest, Bryson Wiest, Ella Hartel and Vivi Hartel. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Gideons International, Biloxi Camp - Box 4378, Biloxi, MS 39535 or to one’s favorite charity. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 12:00 pm at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park.