Walter James "Tiny" Chataginer

Walter James “Tiny” Chataginer, 69, of Biloxi, MS, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Mr. Chataginer was born on October 19, 1956, in Biloxi, MS to Murphy Joseph Chataginer and Minnie Loretta Chataginer, who preceded him in death. A lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he was a graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, earning an associate’s degree in Drafting and Design Technology. Mr. Chataginer enjoyed being outdoors, whether on the water fishing, hunting in the woods or just in the yard working, woodworking, bird watching and cheering on the LSU Tigers. He had immense pride for his Cajun heritage. Mr. Chataginer was a member of the French Club, the Le Badineurs Mardi Gras Organization, and the Ole Biloxi Marching Club.

Mr. Chataginer devoted his life to public service. He began his 34-year career in law enforcement with the Biloxi Police Department in 1979. He later served as a Conservation Officer with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks before transitioning to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources where he worked his way up from Marine Patrol Officer to Chief of Marine Patrol, retiring in 2013. Throughout his career with the Biloxi Police Department, he was the recipient of both the Medal of Valor and the Medal of Merit.

Mr. Chataginer is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Amy Chataginer; his children of whom he was immensely proud, Dylan (Nicole) Richmond, Dr. Anna Chataginer and Walter (Bry) Chataginer, Jr.; his beloved grandsons, Arthur James “AJ” Chataginer and Hudson Paul Richmond; his siblings, Lovie Chataginer, Regina Chataginer Creel and Murphy Chataginer; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members whom he loved and cherished.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be made in Mr. Chataginer’s memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause he supported for many years. Donations may be made online at https://www.stjude.org/donate

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to his longtime physician, Dr. Paul Pavlov and SAADs Home Health and Hospice for the care they provided for him.

A Memorial Service celebrating Mr. Chataginer’s life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 am at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi. Friends may visit from 9:30 am until service time. A reception will immediately follow at The French Club on Howard Avenue, where friends and family are invited to gather and share memories.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Walter James “Tiny” Chataginer.