J.W. "Bill" Donhaiser, age 81, a resident of Gulfport, Miss., died on Saturday, June 27, 2009, in Gulfport.

Mr. Donhaiser retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an electronics technician after 30 years of service in Traverse City.  He served in the United States Air Force and was an instructor at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss.

He was a resident of Gulfport since 1987, and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport. Bill was an avid golfer, loved music, loved to dance and loved his dogs, Siris and Samson.

Mr. Donhaiser was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Leon and Ruth Copeland Donhaiser; and his first wife, Pat Dickey Donhaiser a native of Fairfield, IL, in 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Donhaiser of Gulfport, Miss.; his children, Kimberly Donhaiser York of Big Spring, Texas, Kristi Donhaiser (Michael) Custer of Durham, N.C., and Todd Donhaiser of Gulfport, Miss.; his siblings, John N. (Jeanne) Donhaiser of Katy, Texas, James R. (Betty) Donhaiser of Brandon, Fla., and Phyllis Brogger of Saginaw; his grandchildren, Frankie Turner of Detroit, Nichole Short of Gulfport, Miss., Petie Acosta and Billy Acosta, both of Big Spring, Texas, Kaitlin Custer of Albuquerque, N.M., Bryan Custer of Durham, N.C., and Cori Ann Donhaiser of Ocean Springs, Miss.; his step-grandchildren, Aaron Kidder and Landon Kidder, both of Diamondhead, Miss., and Grant Jones and Lily Jones, both of Gulf Shores, Ala.

Record-Eagle, The - Gulfport, MS - June 29, 2009