William Lamar Goodwin Jr.

William L. “Bill” Goodwin Jr. passed away on March 13, 2026. He was born on February 25, 1969 in Petal, MS to William L. “Bill” Goodwin Sr. and Linda Odom Goodwin.

Bill passed away in Gulfport but grew up in Petal MS and lived there most of his life. Bill graduated from Petal High School, Class of 1987, and attended Meridian Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Bill enjoyed cooking, was an avid fisherman, and loved being near the ocean. He enjoyed gardening and was truly blessed with a ‘green thumb’. He loved his dogs and they were his loyal companions. Bill had had a keen sense of humor and there were many, many laughs when he was in the room. He enjoyed the friendship with a special group of friends from PHS Class of ’87, who kept in close contact with each other for over 40 years. He loved them dearly, and they loved him.

Bill is preceded in death by his mom, Linda Odom Goodwin; dad, William L. “Bill” Goodwin Sr.; nephew, Casey Risk; maternal grandparents, Kakie Odom Blakeney and Charles Casey Odom; paternal grandparents, James and Christine Goodwin.

He is survived by his sisters, Angie Goodwin Risk (Chris) of Hattiesburg, MS and Kathy Goodwin Richardson of Alexandria, VA; nephew, Lt Col Jeremy Watford (Lt Col Sarah Nealen) of Alexandria, VA; great-niece, Josie Watford; great-nephew, Aiden Watford; beloved aunt Patt Odom of Ocean Springs, MS; cousins, Robby Drake (Dana) of Ocean Springs, MS and Tommy Drake of Long Beach, CA and a host of other relatives and many friends.

Bill was a Baptist by faith, and he had the biggest heart. He loved his family and friends. We take comfort that he is not suffering anymore, and he is with God, Moma, Daddy, and other family and friends. Bill will be missed tremendously.

A memorial will be held at a later date, where his ashes will be scattered in the place he loved the most in this world, the ocean.

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