Donald Wayne Ladner

Donald Wayne Ladner was born June 24, 1944 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He was the first of eleven children, to parents, Mazie and Clifton Ladner. His elementary was at Dedeaux School, and later he graduated from Hancock North Central High School, he was a member of the 1960 Hawks Basketball Team that claimed an Overall State Championship Title, one of his most prized memories. He was employed as an apprentice at Litton-Ingalls Ship Building where he began a 38 year successful career, through his years of advancements within the company he would reach the position of the Director of Production Control and Planning, at his retirement. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council.
On November 23, 2013, Donald Wayne (D.W.) Ladner entered into eternal peace, to join his heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his Father, Clifton Ladner and his Brothers, Clifton Ladner Jr. and Roger Dale Ladner.
Leaving to cherish his memories, he is survived by his Mother, Mazie Ladner; His Soul mate and loving wife of 51 years, Sandra Ladner; Sons Zachary Ladner, Lenny (Jolene) Ladner, Aric Ladner, and Regan Ladner; Daughter, Roxann Ladner ( Darren). He will also be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Courtney (Roger), Maeson, Jace, Rendy, Chelsea (Grant), Arin, Erica, Lendon, and Jaylen; one Great-Grandchild, Peyton and one Great-Grandchild on the way, Kaydence. To forever remember their ""Big Brother"" Brothers, Wendell (Donna) Ladner, Louie Ladner, Connie Ray (Gay) Ladner, Bennie (Cheryl) Ladner, Cedric (Shawn) Ladner, Neal (Anna) Ladner, Sisters, Judy (Edwin) Ladner, Sherrell (Charles) Johnson, and Freda (Desmond) Hoda.
D.W. was known as the families ""philosopher"" you could always count on him to give you the deeper meaning of any given situation, and why it was so important to pay attention to each and every component, detail, possible and probable outcome of the issue at hand. He was a very descriptive and great story teller, a teacher to many. D.W. had a wonderful sense of humor and could always command the attention of everyone in the room when he was telling one of his stories, everyone was sure to be laughing at the end. He was an inspiration to many, a natural born leader; he was a caring, compassionate person who was always there to help anyone in need. His friends were many; he touched many lives, and made a difference in many people's lives as he gave opportunities by giving them a hand up. He had a passion for helping the area youth, and was instrumental in forming the Harrison-Hancock Little League, an accomplishment that made him proud.
D.W. Loved football, ""Brett Favre"" was his favorite player of all time, he was so proud of Brett; he supported every team he ever played with. But, he was a true, dedicated New Orleans Saints Fan. One of his greatest joys in life was music, it's a love he shared with his father, and he listened to music each and every day. Over the past few years he enjoyed the outdoors, the beauty of nature. It was the simple things that made him content and he appreciated, the sunrises, beautiful flowers, he especially enjoyed picking the flowers for everyone, and wrote beautiful short poems that we will cherish. Above all, He loved his family, His wife, Children, Grandchildren and his little man Peyton. His love was unconditional, and it was always evident, no matter the situation, he was always proud of each and every one of them. He believed in the power and strength of Jesus Christ's love and the beauty and peace that would await him after his passing from this world.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln DeLisle Road, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dedeaux Community, at 2:00 p.m.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery at Rotten Bayou.
Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, 14595 Vidalia Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571.
Tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.