Farrell Lamar “Butch” Stiver, Jr.

Farrell Lamar Stiver, Jr., 75 of Gulfport and known to those who truly knew him as "Butch", passed away Wednesday afternoon, November 2nd at Memorial Hospital. He was born August 25, 1947 in Goshen, IN, the oldest of eight children to Farrell L., Sr. and Doris Maxine (Holmes) Stiver. For the first few years, Butch grew up in Indiana, however the family relocated to the MS Gulf Coast in the late 50s. Butch enjoyed fishing and football growing up, and knew a bit about working as well. He had a paper route in Long Beach early on, using his bicycle to deliver the paper every day. Butch attended Harrison Central High School, graduating with the Class of 1965. He joined the US Navy right out of high school, serving honorably until his discharge in 1971. Butch had known Jackie and her family, since they rode the bus to school. They got to know each other better after his Naval service and started dating. The young couple was married March 24, 1973 and made their home in Gulfport. Butch went to work at Mississippi Power and retired after twenty years there. Then he went to the Gulfport VA as an electrician, until Katrina came along and he moved to Biloxi. And while he was planning to retire again, he was still there as an employee. In his spare time, Butch continued to enjoy fishing, New Orleans Saints football, and tinkering in his shop at home. He was big into genealogy, researching his family back as far as he could, and had begun working some on Jackie's as well. His idea of a vacation...was going to visit cemeteries looking for ancestors and relatives. Butch had extensive information gathered, and lots of other people were always contacting him about it. But no matter what, Butch loved his family. He enjoyed travelling and spending time with his wife and family. A loving brother, husband, father and grandfather, he will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him. Butch was preceded by his parents, two sisters, Patty Eagan and Vickie Stiver, and his only daughter, Shelly. Left to cherish his memories are: his loving soulmate and wife of forty-nine years, Jackie; their son Patrick, and his siblings: one sister, Mardi (Sam) O'Neal, with brothers Joseph (Julie), Robert (Mary), Edgar and Greg Stiver, all of Gulfport. He leaves a legacy of one grandson, Chayse Stiver of Tacoma, WA, along with numerous extended family, friends, co-workers and neighbors through the years. Butch's final wishes was for a low-key service, which his family is honoring. A graveside service with US Navy Honors will be held Monday afternoon at 2:00 PM, in the Three Rivers Free Church of God Cemetery in Gulfport, with Bro. Danny Calhoun officiating. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Stiver family in their time of need, and asks everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.