Joseph "Buddy" Oliver Watrous, Jr.

 Joe O. “Buddy” Watrous Jr. age 87 of Gautier passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born March 3, 1932 in Nashville, Tennessee to Joseph Oliver Watrous, Sr and Beulah Knight Watrous.  Joe spent part of his youth on the family farm learning hardworking ethics that he practiced his entire life.  He enjoyed playing football for his high school team and especially the traveling involved with this sport.  After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a submariner and proudly served during the Korean War. He was a member of U.S. Submarine Veterans Mobile Base, active member of American Legion in Gautier, and Cambridge Baptist Church in Gautier. 

In 1968, he moved to this area and was employed with Ingalls Shipbuilding until his retirement in 1994. Buddy enjoyed fishing, reading, storytelling with a natural slow delivery, and was consider by many as a Man’s Man.  Mr. Joe enjoyed watching football and even had a proud gift for knowing who would be the winning team. Most of all, he provided a solid foundation for his family to meet their needs which gave him fulfillment.   

He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 64 years, Bettie Ann Williams Watrous; two brothers, Daniel K. Watrous and Glenn Watrous; one great grandchild, Shiloh.

Joe is survived by a brother, Timothy B. Watrous, Ridgetop, TN; a sister, Patricia Ann Hasenmueller, Columbia, TN; two sons and two daughters, Joseph D. Watrous (Melissa McGee), Ocean Springs; Christopher L. Watrous (Tammie), Gautier; Belinda L. Watrous, Mentone, AL; Gail Lee Mullin (John), Eagle, ID; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, 6:00-8:00pm, at Gautier O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Funeral Procession with Patriot Riders and Police Escort will leave the funeral home on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at 12:30 for Committal Service at Biloxi National Cemetery at 1:30pm with Rev. Josh Cochran and military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his memory.  You may send condolences to his family or share a memory at www.obryantokeefe.com

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