William Boots Obituary

William “Bill” Roy Boots, 91, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Bill was born to Roy Thornton and Anna Elizabeth (Massman) Boots on December 6, 1933.  He attended Immaculate Conception and then went to Moberly Public Schools.  

In May of 1952, Bill joined the U.S. Navy and went to San Diego, CA, for Boot Camp and on to Great Lakes for Class “A” Machinist Mate School which was 14 weeks long. He went aboard the USS Solomon Oil Tanker and worked in the engine room. His home port was on the East Coast, but he visited many European Countries.  Bill was discharged in 1956 and came home and attended Moberly Junior College for two years and then Kirksville State College for almost two years but never graduated. When not in school he worked for the highway department as a survey helper, a construction worker at Moberly Prison and a bar tender.  He read that the U.S. Navy was taking back sailors at same rank within four years, so he enlisted again as Petty Officer First Class. He was sent to Schenectady, NY, to G.E. Nuclear School for Nuclear Submarine Service. His home port was New London, CT, where he served on three different subs.  He had duty aboard as Submarine Tender in Holy Loch, Scotland where he met Isabelle.  They were united in marriage on October 6, 1975.  He also had shore duty at Pensacola Naval Air Station where he was Assistant Manager of C.P.O. Club.  After 28 years as Machinist Mate Master Chief, he was discharged from the Navy.  Bill then went to work for Mississippi Power and Light Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station for 17 years.  His home was Vicksburg, MS, where his wife died the same year he retired.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Judy Foos and Dorothy Cox; brothers-in-law, Donny Cox and Jack Burton; nephew, Kevin Bowden; and great-great nephew, Trevor Boots.

He is survived by his brother, Bob (Bonnie) Boots; sister, Connie Burton; brother-in-law, Ivan Foos; nieces and nephews, Roby Boots, Melissa Gillen, David Foos, Terri Lucas, Lisa Edwards, Brenda Avery, Jeff Bowden, Sara DeFily, Lessley Armstrong, Chris Burton, Patrick Burton and John Burton; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; cousins; and many close and dear friends too numerous to name.