John Emerson Willse Jr.

Mr. John Emerson Willse, Jr. (Jolly Jack, Cadillac Jack), age 89, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Mr. Willse was born on October 19, 1929, in Oradell, NJ to Jessie Kendrick and John E. Willse. He retired from the US Air Force after 27 years and also retired from the GE Aegis Project where he was the First Mardi Gras King of the Aegis Ball Association. He was Mardi Gras King in the Elks Association, a 32 year member of BPOE #2501 and was involved in the Biloxi Little Theater He was an avid golfer and dart player. John was preceded in death by his parents, spouse, Catherine Willse and siblings, Jimmy, Eleanor, June and Marilyn. Survivors include his children, John (Cheryl), George (Bridgett), Robert, Steven, Catherine and Christine, twelve grandchildren, five great-granddaughters and a brother, Bruce Willse. Visitation will be on Monday, March 4 from 6pm until 8pm with Elks Honors at 7pm, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Wednesday, March 6, there will be an 11am chapel service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to BPOE#2501 Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship Fund. Cathy, Kathleen, & Jacob would like to extend special thanks to all of the home health workers who helped Jack have the best care possible over the last 8 years and to Eleanor Cass who gave him a reason to wake up every morning & put the sunshine in his day.