Billy Tolar

Billy R. Tolar, Sr., aged 87, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed into eternal life on December 20, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Pearl Tolar; sisters, Angeline Watson and Yvonne Little.

Billy is survived by his wife Barbara (née Welford) of 64 years; his youngest son, Ronny (Misha), with grandchildren Braxton Peleaz, Riley Peleaz, and Landon Peleaz , his second son Mark (Dede), with grandchildren Brandy Powell, and Amanda McClendon, his first son Billy Jr., his “adopted son” Keib Delemel; sister, Geneva Bunch; and several great grandchildren.

He was born in Slidell, Louisiana and moved to Gulfport at an early age. He was a nearly lifelong resident of Handsboro/Gulfport and loved the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Billy could often be found telling visitors stories of the 1947 hurricane, the sea wall, the sand beach, his experience at the very first Saints football game, and the history of Handsboro.

He worked for Coast Food Distributors for a quarter of a century selling restaurant supplies and foods to businesses from Pascagoula to New Orleans. He finished his working career at the Mississippi Power Company and retired in 1999. He spent his retirement giving lectures about hummingbirds and especially Eastern Bluebirds, making and giving away nesting boxes.

Billy was a Master Mason and a Past Master of Polar Star Lodge #154. He was a member and deacon of the Edgewater Fellowship Church in Biloxi.

Billy loved nature, and made several trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Yellowstone National Park.  After returning home, he spent years watching the web cameras monitoring the elk herds and Old Faithful.  He also loved Christmas and was known locally for the lavish decorations in his front yard. During the time just before entering the hospital, he was directing his sons as they set up this year’s display.

He is missed by his loving family, and they look forward to a happy reunion in Heaven.

Visitation will be 10-11am, Friday, December 23, 2022, at Edgewater Christian Fellowship Church. The funeral service will be after the visitation at 11am. Interment is at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.