William "Bill" DeSorbo

William "Bill" DeSorbo

1924 ~ 2014

Biloxi

William "Bill" DeSorbo went home to our Heavenly Father Saturday morning, June 14, 2014. Bill was born in Amsterdam, NY, February 5th, 1924 to Alexander and Giovanna (Fappiano) DeSorbo. He had many fond memories of growing up in Amsterdam and always considered that his home town.

Bill served in the Army Air corps during World War II. He was always very humble about serving saying, "I didn't do anything." His discharge papers tell another story however. He joined on February 9, 1943 and was discharged October 28, 1945. He served in the following Battles/Campaigns: Rome-Arno, Normandy and Air Offensive Europe. Bill received the following medals for his service: European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. Bill departed for Italy on March 13, 1944, and departed on July 17, 1944. Bill served in the 5th Air Force, 484th Bomb group, and 825th Bomb squadron. He was a nose gunner on a B-24, the "Luscious Lucy". We believe he earned his Purple Heart when he had to bail out of his aircraft.

Bill was a member of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary since 1968. He was very active in the church as a Eucharistic Minister, reading scripture at Mass, an Usher at Sunday 9:00 Mass, Holy Name Society, Parish Life Committee, among other committees. He was a faithful member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for many, many years, and was very dedicated to helping the poor, doing home visits and hospital visits as well.

Bill is predeceased by his loving wife of 62 ½ years, Lula (Wilson) DeSorbo; his parents, two brothers, John DeSorbo of Albany, NY and Joe DeSorbo of Connecticut.

Those left to cherish his memory are his two children Bill (Helga) DeSorbo, of San Antonio, TX and his daughter, Sheila (Freddie) Yost, of the St. Martin Community; five grandchildren, Garrett (Vera) DeSorbo of Universal City, TX, Tina (Marcus) DeSorbo Dilmer of Germany, Jason (Cyndie) Yost Terra Haute, IN, Alex (Stephanie) Yost of Gulfport, MS, and Bridget (Adam) Yost Houlihan of Forest, VA; 10 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter, with another sweet girl due in August.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in care of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530.

View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com