William James Randolph

William “Bill” “Billy” James Randolph, age 87, of Gulfport, passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2026,

Bill was born on November 9, 1938, to William A. Randolph and Mollie T. Randolph. He was a graduate of Gulfport High School in 1957 and the Army Security Agency School in Fort Devens, MA in February 1962. Bill was a member of the United States Army and served from April 1961 until March 1967 and was stationed in West Berlin, West Germany. While there, he served the United States Army Security Agency in intelligence-related fields including Morse code interception. After leaving the Army, Bill owned and operated his former father-in-law’s grocery store business in New Orleans and eventually, later in life, became a grounds keeper at the Oasis Casino in Gulfport before retiring.

Bill loved his family and was close to his 4 daughters. He took a great interest in hearing about the ins and outs of his 9 grandchildren’s lives, and he loved his daily dose of pictures of his 4 great-grandchildren. Bill loved fishing and floundering, but his great love was working in his yard. He took special care to grow plants and give them to his daughters to place in their yards. Walking the grounds of his yard as he explained each and every plant he was growing will be a memory we will cherish. If Bill wasn’t tending to his yard, you could find him, on any given day, on his front porch feeding the squirrels and birds or reading a book. He loved nature and he loved to read, especially historical books and mystery novels. Bill will be fondly remembered with great joy by his daughters and grandchildren, family and friends, sitting with them on his front porch visiting. He will also be remembered for his service and love of our country, his kindness, and his gentleness.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Norma June Randolph Bass; and brother, Tommy Randolph.

Survivors include his children, Gina (Matt) Contini, Tracie (Tim) Macaluso, Cissy (Clint) Pierce, and Jamie Rutland; grandchildren, Erin (Ross) Garbarino, Madeleine (Ryan) Fairbairn, Catherine Contini, Kyle (Cassidy)Macaluso, Gabrielle Macaluso, Mackenzie (Christian) Evans, Maclain Pierce, William Rutland, and Jacob Rutland; great-grandchildren, Lila, Mae, John Ross, and Grace Garbarino.

A Catholic Liturgy memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport. Friends may visit beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport, with honors by the U.S. Army.

The family requests donations be made to the VA Hospital of Biloxi and Wounded Warriors.

And lastly, a special thank you to his best friend, Robin, and to his former neighbor, Mama and her family who always looked after Bill. The family would also like to thank the incredible staff and nurses at the VA Hospice in the Niagara Unit for their kindness and compassion, and Chaplain Anzette Thomas, Father Phil, and Father Michael O’Conner.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of William James Randolph.