James W. "Jay" Wilson

James W. “Jay” Wilson, age 82, of Long Beach, MS, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023.

Jay was born October 31, 1940, in Tyrone, PA. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer after 24 years of service and then was employed at the Seabee Base in Gulfport as a Training Material Specialist.

Jay was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dolores Cook Wilson; his parents, Frank Ross Wilson and Katharine Harlowe Wilson; sisters, Alice and Helen; stepsons, George Kelley and Paul Kelley; and son-in-law Clifford R. Griffiths. 

He is survived by step-children, Susan Griffiths, of Glendora, NJ, David Kelley (Lynn), of Port St. Lucie, FL, Ronald Kelley (Lisa), of Long Beach, MS, and Daniel Kelley of Biloxi, MS; grandchildren, David Kelley, Jr., Maryanne Holland, Charity Nettles, Jessica Taylor, Michael Kelley, Melodie Cherry, Rachael DeLeo, and Jason Kelley; great-grandchildren, Kyle Kelley, Thomas Holland, Lamiyah Sanhtytham, Taliyah Sanhtytham, Kadryn Nettles, Oliver Kelley, Etta Kelley, Caroline Taylor, Alex DeLeo, Taj DeLeo, and Katelynn DeLeo, and great-great-grandchildren, Waylon and Peach.

Jay enjoyed volunteering for his Church, Christ United Methodist Church, and the local VFW. He loved reading, computers, working on cars, baseball and cartoons. He was an animal lover, especially his cats. 

The family would like to thank Driftwood Nursing Center for his care over the last nine years and Enhabit Hospice for providing comfort and care in his last weeks.

A graveside service will be held 11:00am Friday, October 20, 2023  at Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi, MS.  Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Wilson family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the VFW of Long Beach, 213 Klondyke Rd, Long Beach, MS 39560, or your local animal shelter.