William "Billy" Jefferson Rushing Sr.

William "Billy" Jefferson Rushing Sr., age 78, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Ocean Springs. Billy was born on October 5, 1941, in Ludlow, Massachusetts. He graduated from Biloxi High School in 1959 and served in the U.S. Navy from October 19, 1961 to October 18, 1963. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Jefferson Rushing and Walter and Margaret Dorothy Strong, spouse, Veronia Fayard Rushing, stepson, Leonard John Charuk Wescovich and sister, Nancy Tauzin. Survivors include his children, Robin (Peterson) Rushing, Heath Rushing, William "Billy" Rushing and Walter Robert "Bob" Rushing, stepsons, Louis Wescovich and Wilbur Wescovich, stepdaughter, Jeanne (Smith) Wescovich, grandchildren, Drew Peterson, Devin Peterson, Delaney Peterson, Copeland Rushing, Maddox Rushing, Reece Rushing, Amy Wescovich, Ronnie Wescovich and Daniel Wescovich, sibling, Mary Margaret Musgrave and his longtime companion, Marie Ward. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 11, from 11am until 12 pm, with a 12 pm chapel service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Avenue. Burial will follow in Favre Fayard Cemetery in Waveland, MS.