William Edward "Billy" Stone

William Edward “Billy” Stone, age 48, of Gulfport died Tuesday, July 8, 2014 in Biloxi. He was born in Slidell, LA, grew up in Pearlington, MS and was a former resident of Titusville, FL. He became disabled in his early twenties but was able to live a normal life working odd jobs. He moved to Gulfport in 2006 to live with his parents, assisted in caring for his mother and was a Godsend to his father after her death. He was a member and faithfully attended the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport. He attended schools in Hancock County, graduated high school in Oak Ridge, TN and attended colleges in Florida and Mississippi. His hobbies included crafts, fishing, gardening, listening to music, and going to the beach. He enjoyed the theater and volunteered at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse in Cocoa, FL. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Stuart Stone. Mr. Stone is survived by his father, William Todd Stone of Gulfport; a brother, Robert Todd Stone, his wife Beatrix “Trixi” of Merritt Island, FL and step-daughter, Selina Schonbeck, of Pittsburg, PA; aunts, Susan Bourne of Gulfport and Mary Jo Amos of Garner, NC. He greatly appreciated the staff and care he received at Gulf Oaks. The counselors in the Intensive Outpatient Program were a big influence in his life. Recently, he actively participated in NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) and was motivated by the facilitator and attendees. The family really appreciated the ten weeks of care he received at Biloxi Regional Medical Center, especially the physicians and nurses in ICU. He will always be remembered as a loving son, brother and friend, who really loved his family. He never knew a stranger, helped all, and surely will be missed. The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations in his honor to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 5005 Lawson Ave., Gulfport, MS 39507. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe. com.