Willie Katherine Filoni

Mrs. Willie Katherine Filoni, age 91, died on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, in Gulfport, MS. Willie K. was a beloved wife, mother and Me-Maw. She was born in Hickory, MS in 1920 and grew up in Meridian, MS. She graduated from Meridian High School where she played varsity basketball. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper at JC Penney. She was a longtime resident of the coast and a member of Fernwood Baptist Church. She traveled extensively as a military wife and eventually chose Biloxi as her home. Mrs. Filoni was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Filoni; her parents, William Donald Hankins and Oda Mae Welch Hankins; and two sisters, Evelyn "Sister" Alford and Margaret "Snow" Lahar. Survivors include a son, Don Michael (Ann) Filoni of Welaka, FL; daughter, Libby (David) Butler of Ocean Springs; three grandchildren, Latishia Filoni of Stonewall, MS, Ashley Chennault and Bryan (Shannon) Butler of Ocean Springs, MS; and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two loved nephews, Eddie Alford of Charlotte, NC and Jimmy Lahar of Columbus, GA. Private services will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.