Cover photo for William  Clarence Elam's Obituary
William  Clarence Elam Profile Photo
1921 William 2015

William Clarence Elam

April 14, 1921 — May 20, 2015

William Clarence Elam, Jr., known as Bill, went to be with Our Lord on May 20, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida, where he had lived for the past eleven years.
He was born in Bristol, Tennessee on April 14, 1921. At the age of 14 he moved with his parents to Gulfport, Mississippi, where he made his home for most of his life. He married the former Mary Anise Welch in March 11, 1949 and they raised their three children in Gulfport. They were active in First United Methodist Church in Gulfport for over 50 years. He sang in the choir for several decades until he lost his voice to a stroke in 2002. Heath concerns led them to move to Jacksonville, Florida in 2004 to be near their daughter. There they attended Beach United Methodist in Jacksonville with their daughter and her family.
Bill graduated from Gulfport High School, as did all their of his children. He also graduated from what was known as Parkinston Junior College and is now the Perkinston campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He studied further at Emory University. He served in the U. S. Navy in World War II and achieved the rank of Lieutenant JG. He worked as a chemist almost his entire career. He enjoyed sailing and was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club. Bill and Mary An also played bridge regularly. He worked with the Boy Scouts in Troop 201, both while his sons were members and later. For many years he was active in the Gulfport Little Theatre where he served as Chairman and other offices, worked on productions too numerous to mention and was presented the Tommy Gilbert Award.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Anise Welch Elam; their three children, William Timothy Elam (Gayle), J. Chris Elam (Michael R. Parker, and Susan Anise E. Hawley (Mark); four grandchildren, Elisa Hawley, Lauren Hawley, Erika Elam and Mitchell Elam; as well as numerous nieces, nephew, and their descendants.
He was rather quiet and a very hard-working man with many interests and creative solutions to any challenge. He had a deep faith in God which he shared with his children. We are blessed the have been given so much time with William.
The family request donations to Feed My Sheep or your local food bank in lieu of flowers.
A visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church in Gulfport, MS on June 5, 2015 from 10:00am - 11:00 am. The funeral will be held in the church sanctuary at 11:00am . Burial will be in Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30pm.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport is serving the family. An online guestbook may be signed and tributes may be offered to the family at www.riemannfamily.com.

Service

JUN 5. 11:00 AM First United Methodist Church of Gulfport 2301 15th Street Gulfport, MS, US, 39501

Visitation

JUN 5. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM First United Methodist Church 2301 15th Street Gulfport, MS, US, 39501
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