John ""Pat"" Wilz, age 85, died peacefully at home April 15, 2014. Pat was born March 17, 1929 in Dickinson North Dakota, the son of Frank Wilz and Elizabeth Meier Wilz. He joined the United States Air Force and served 25 years, retiring in 1972 at the rank of Major. He married Beatrice Lucille Weisenbeck of Durand, Wisconsin. Together they traveled many duty stations, and eventually retired in Long Beach, Mississippi. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Pat returned to school, earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and began a second career as a psychologist at the Gulf Coast Mental Health Center.
After moving to Long Beach Mississippi, Pat became an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus and the BPO Elks. He was an avid fisherman who pulled many mullet from the Gulf with his cast net. Following his retirement from the Mental Health Center, genealogy became his favorite hobby.
Pat was preceded in death by his wife Betty. He is survived by five children: Ruth Curcuru (Joe), Tom Wilz (Sandi Kelley), Jim Wilz, Kathy Wilz, and Patrick Wilz (Wendy) and four grandchildren: Jay Curcuru, Elizabeth Curcuru, Michelle Curcuru and Eric Wilz.
The family offers special thanks to Tonya Swann and Julia Cameron who cared for Pat at the end of his life.
Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, April 20 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 21, 2014 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach at 9:45 AM, with a visitation beginning at 9:00AM. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com
Visitation
APR 20. 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM Riemann Family Funeral Home- Long Beach 19130 Commission Road Long Beach, MS, US, 39560
Service
APR 21. 09:45 AM St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 720 East Beach Blvd. Long Beach, MS, US, 39560
Interment
Biloxi National Cemetery 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS, 39531