Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Monday Obits
SVWWII card #05320 (Oklahoma)
GEIST, William Wallace, 95, of Oklahoma City, OK, died on February 6, 2021 at home with family. He was born in Wichita, KS, to Floyd and Ola Geist on May 7, 1925. He graduated from East High School in Wichita. He enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1943 through 1945 during World War II as quartermaster on the submarine USS Bluefish (SS-222). After the war, he attended Wichita University (now Wichita State). He played quarterback for WU football and was a member of Phi Upsilon Sigma fraternity. Most importantly he met Shirley Fisher, also from Wichita. After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Management, Bill married Shirley in 1949. They were married for 55 years. After a short career as an insurance adjuster in Parsons and Wichita, KS, Bill moved his family to Oklahoma City in 1954 to be manager at Lady Classen Cafeteria. In 1973 Bill and Shirley purchased Lady Classen. Bill served on the Board of Directors and also as President of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. Retiring in 1994, Bill and Shirley closed Lady Classen's doors. Bill is survived by his sister Eleanor Kinkaid of Wichita, Kansas, children Connie (Fred) Fehr, Tom (Melanie) Geist, John (Yvonne) Geist, (Cindy) Geist, and Carol (Tim) Shanahan; 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents Floyd and Ola, brother Merle, wife Shirley, and son Jim. Published in Wichita Eagle on Feb. 14, 2021.
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Not a WWII SubVet
COCKRELL, James Derrell (J.D.), USN, Ret., 96, of Long Beach, MS passed away on February 12, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father James Fenton Cockrell; mother, Verna Russell; and daughter-in-law Sue Cockrell. Survivors include his wife of 60 years Sandra Cockrell; children, Mike and Bob (Jennifer); granddaughter, Rhendi Cotney (Tyler); and two great-grandchildren. He was born in Fayette, AL, and raised in Chipley, FL. He left high school for the Army during World War II. During this service, he was awarded the Purple Heart due to wounds received during the Anzio campaign in Italy. After the war, he joined the Navy looking for better opportunities and remained for twenty years of service. His service included submarines [USS Diablo (SS-479] and led to involvement in early missile development. The training and experience from his assignments led to employment in the early civilian space industry and a job at the Mississippi Test Facility (now Stennis Space Center) and moving to chosen home of Long Beach. This career allowed him to be a part of the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Even with these heroic and interesting experiences, he was most dedicated to family. He supported his wife, threw and caught many balls in the back yard, coached ball teams, attended countless games and band shows, and chaperoned group trips. He doted on his granddaughter and loved daughters-in-law like his own children. This is what he will most be remembered for. At his request, there will be no visitation no public services. Please direct any memorials to the Long Beach First Baptist Church Building Fund. Private graveside services will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave. Biloxi, MS. Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Rd. Long Beach served the family. An online obituary may be viewed, and memories and photos shared at www.RiemannFamily.com Published in The Sun Herald on Feb. 15, 2021.
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Monday Obits
