Billy Clay Williams

Billy Clay Williams, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on August 21, 2024, just a few days following his 83rd birthday.

Billy served as a Marine where he received several honors including the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. He graduated from Mississippi State University and was the former President of MSU’s Jackson County Alumni Association. Billy was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge where he was twice an Exalted Ruler and a Past District Deputy. He was also a member of the VFW, the American Legion and was a committee chairman for the Mississippi Maritime Museum. He worked at Ingalls Shipyard for 30 years and likes to comment that, during that time, he was only late for work one time and only missed one day ever.

Billy was a stranger to no one. He made friends everywhere he went and handed out Lifesavers Mints all along the way, always with a smile. If you were truly lucky, he would bring you a rose as a gesture of his appreciation. He was very fond of so many local establishments and very proud of his hometown. Billy volunteered at numerous places and donated time or money to any cause or person who he thought he could help. His favorite pastimes were traveling around the world, collecting coins and photographing flowers, especially the ones he grew himself.

He likes to say, “for the most part, people are good and trustworthy, and that he looks for the positive in everyone.” It is a great sentiment and a great way to perceive life; it was rare that Billy
wasn’t positive!

Proceeding him in death are his parents Parker Raymond Williams and Margaret Louise Shaffer Williams, his brother Bobby Gene Williams, sister Lucille Williams Hood and sister Martice “Sissy”
Williams Cagle.

Survivors include his three children, Brian Clay Williams (Kerry), Robert Lance Williams (Sherry) and M. Jay Williams (Kelly); Grandchildren Connor Paul Webb (Kyra), Jenna Nicole Williams, London Gray Williams, Anna Elise Williams, Donovan Lee Norris, Beaux Landon Norris, Brantley David Norris, Hudson Jo Norris, Stetson Thomas Norris and Beckham Brian Norris; his brother Joel Raymond Williams and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to join the Williams family for visitation which will be held Monday, August 26 at O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula from 5:00 to 6:00 PM with a service beginning at 6:00 PM. Immediately following, there will be a Celebration of Life reception at 7pm at the Elks Lodge,303 Krebs Avenue, Pascagoula, Ms. The graveside service, with military honors, will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 27 at the Biloxi National Cemetery Committal Shelter.

You  may send condolences to his family on the Tribute Wall of this website.  

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