Chief William "Billy" Fennell, LBFD, Ret.

Chief William L. “Billy” Fennell, Ret.

1943-2022

William L. “Billy” Fennell passed away peacefully in Gulfport after a brief illness on May 20, 2022.

Billy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  He was born in New Orleans, LA on May 26,1943, but resided in Long Beach most of his life.  He attended St. Thomas Elementary School and graduated from Long Beach High School in 1961.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, W.G. “Bill” and Dolores Fennell, by his sisters, Geraldine Hammons and Connie Cole and his granddaughter, Hillary Moulder.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 22 years, Laura McCardle Fennell, six daughters, Lori (Blake) Tucker, Diana Sharp, Billie Jane “BJ” Buza, Amanda (Jay) Levens, Farra (Matt) Wicks and Daphne (Michael) Nickels. He is survived by 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren all of whom he adored.  Billy is also survived by three siblings, Pam (Frank) Pinnix, Jackie (Bobby) Bates and Gerald “G.O.” Fennell.

Billy leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends, all with whom he shared a beautiful relationship. Billy was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.

As a young boy, Billy spent many summers with his grandfather and family in Pilot Town, LA. While still in high school, he began working in the family business at Fennell’s Coast Litho Printing. In 1965, he began his dedicated 28-year career with the Long Beach Fire Department working his way up to Chief and retiring in 1993.   It was not uncommon for Billy to work 3 jobs at once.  He also worked at Pecan Village Apartments for many years and started Fennell Construction Co. with his daughter Lori.

Billy never met a stranger and forged many lasting friendships over the years. He coached Little League Baseball, Pee Wee Football and was very active in the St. Thomas Carnival Association and the Long Beach Jaycees.  He loved playing golf, wood working and later in life his passion was making famous Uncle Billy’s Beef Jerky.

The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Mullen and his NP Kelsey, Memorial Hospital Cath Lab and the Sixth Floor Nurses that took such good care of him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas Church.  P.O. Box 2529, LB, MS  39560.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 10 am - 12 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 pm in the church.  A private interment will be held in Long Beach City Cemetery.