William "Bill" Irwin

William W. ""Bill"" Irwin, age 84, of Long Beach, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on April 30, 2014.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank L. and Katherine O'Brien Irwin.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Georgie Ladner Irwin, his children, Debbie (Roy) Gilmore, William W. (Marilyn) Irwin, Jr., Mary ""Kathy"" (Greg) Stokes, Leslie (Alison) Irwin, John (Kim) Irwin, and Matthew (Kim) Irwin, a brother, Frank Irwin, Jr., 12 grandchildren, Roy (Jordan) Gilmore, Kristen Shelby, Jarrod (Melissa) Gilmore, Kimberly Gilmore, Beth (Todd) Weiland, Janice (Jonathan) Geddes, Bill (Karen) Irwin, III, Kathryn Irwin, Kara (Matt) Smith, Justin Irwin, John (Caitlin) Irwin, Jr., and Jeremy Irwin, 13 great-grandchildren, Leila, Cole, Lilly, Laurel, and Leighton Gilmore, Madison Shelby, Ryan and Abby Weiland, Trenton Geddes, Eloise Irwin and William W. Irwin, IV, Drew and Jake Smith, and an expected great-granddaughter in October, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Mr. Irwin was born and raised in Nashville, TN and moved to Bay St. Louis in 1950 where he worked for the Sea Coast Echo. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and served during the Korean War. He returned to Bay St. Louis and married the love of his life, Georgie. He began working at the Daily Herald as a typesetter and later retired after 35 years from the Sun Herald in 1989 as Composing Room Foreman. He was a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church where he was a member of the parish council, finance committee, a founding member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, and was the first commissioned lay Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas. He and his wife Georgie participated in hundreds of baptisms and also helped hundreds of families at funerals that has affected several generations of families at St. Thomas. They also made numerous home visits to the sick and elderly administering communion and comfort to the families.
He loved working on his property and taking care of his cows and other animals. Other than his faith, his greatest joy was his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. His dedication to his family and his steadfast faith were evident throughout his daily life. He was the true patriarch of the family leading by example and he took pride in his children and their families
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014, from 9:30 am - 11 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 East Beach Blvd., Long Beach, MS 39560. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church.
A private interment will be in Long Beach City Cemetery with honors to be rendered by the U.S. Army.
The family would like to express special thanks to Brenda Chapman and the staff at Chapman Oaks and also Sachi Havens, RN from Hospice Advantage for their care and concern of their dad in his final journey.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, MS is in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com