Cover photo for William Frederic Pontius's Obituary
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William Frederic Pontius

d. September 30, 2017

William Frederic Pontius

William Frederic Pontius, M.D., age 81, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Dr. Pontius was born on March 12, 1936, in Tiffin, Ohio, to Ralph and Kathryn Pontius. He graduated from Flora High School in 1954. He served in the Heavy Photographic Squadron 62, United States Navy. Following his military service, he attended Mississippi State University and graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center Medical School in 1965. He then completed a Rotating Internship at Mobile General Hospital in 1966, (later to become University of South Alabama). He joined the Medical Center, Canton, Mississippi, where he practiced general medicine and surgery until 1973. He then was accepted in the Diagnostic Radiology Program, at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, finishing in 1976. Dr. Pontius then moved to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to practice at Howard Memorial Hospital which later became Biloxi Regional Medical Hospital until his retirement in 2001. While in General Practice, he served a term as President of Central Medical Society in Jackson. Later, in Biloxi, he served also as Chief of Staff of Biloxi Regional, as well as Director and Chief of Radiology. He was an active member of Coast Counties Medical Society and Mississippi State Medical Association. Dr. Pontius was an accomplished yachtsman, enjoying sailboat racing in the Gulf of Mexico. He also was an aircraft pilot with certificates in multiengine, commercial and instrument ratings. Photography was a hobby from high school through retirement. After retirement, he and his wife, Mollie, cruised in their trawler for over two years on the Atlantic coast. They enjoyed cruising as far north as Toronto, Canada, to Key West and even a side trip as far south as Mexico. Dr. Pontius was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Anita Martin Pontius, in 1986. He remained profoundly grateful to Mississippi Childrens Home and his children, David Michael (Lori) and Amy Louise Pontius. Survivors include his best friend and beloved wife of 28 years, Mollie John Pontius, his daughter by marriage, Regina Bossier, grandchildren, William Taylor, Madison and Grayson Pontius, Shelby Bourgeois and Drew Matthew Bossier, a brother, David (Ann) Pontius and nephews Peter and Larry Pontius. Visitation will be on Monday, October 9, from 10am until 11am, with an 11am Remembrance Service, all at St. John's Episcopal Church. Commital will follow in the church memorial garden. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to Mississippi Children's Home Services, P.O. Box 1078, Jackson, MS 39215, Mississippi State Medical Association Alliance/ Scholarships, P.O. Box 2548, Ridgeland, MS, 39158-2548 or to St. John's Episcopal Church, 611 Rayburn Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Past Services

Visitation

Monday, October 9, 2017

10:00 - 11:00 am

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Memorial Service

Monday, October 9, 2017

Starts at 11:00 am

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