Joseph William Lilly

Joseph William Lilly, age 89, passed away Friday, January 27, 2017 in Vancleave, MS. Joseph is preceded in death by his loving wife, Minnie L. Lilly. Joseph's hometown was Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. Lilly was very involved with the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D'Iberville, MS. He was an avid reader and Friends of the Ocean Springs Public Library. He was active in politics, worked the Vancleave polling booths, and helped made voices heard. He was an avid golfer at Keesler AFB. After 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Commander, retired to Ocean Springs-Vancleave, MS and continued working in government-office personnel. He traveled the world during his Navy career. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Paul Lilly and Thelma Lawrence; his siblings, Tom, John, Bernadine, Margaret, and Rosemary; and his step-son, Charles Hinton. Joseph is survived by his step-daughter, Gloria Williams; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. Friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Matthew 25 Fund, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 705 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.