William R. Flowers,

William R. Flowers, Jr., better known as “Coach Flowers”, 87, died Thursday, January 30, 2014. Coach Flowers was born in Cuevas, MS and was a longtime resident of St. Martin. Mr. Flowers served with the United States Navy during World War II. Coach Flowers was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mr. Flowers was a teacher and a coach for over 40 years. Coach Flowers was also a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Choir and the Legion of Mary. Mr. Flowers was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Broussard Flowers; his parents, William Russell Flowers, Sr. and Essie Mae Flowers; sister, Velma Schneider; and brothers, Earl Flowers, Aubrey Flowers, and Alton Flowers. Coach Flowers is survived by his daughters, Mary V. Parnell, Dianna Akins (Gil), Deborah McAlpine (Carl), and Karen Wilson (Evlee); sons, Robert Flowers (Diane), and Brian Flowers (Janie); sisters, Juanita Pollard, Elenor Tyndall (Gary), and Peggy Nicavic (Doug); 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. The family prefers memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10446 LeMoyne Blvd., D’Iberville, MS 39540. Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. rosary, on Monday, February 3, 2014 at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Mr. Flowers will lie in-state at Sacred Heart Catholic Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will then follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com