William Mayzak

William Stanley Mayzak, 81, of Slidell, LA, passed away at Highland Hospital in Picayune, MS on March 18, 2024.

William, AKA Bill, was born in Rochester, New York on 1/8/1943 to Mary and Charles Mayzak. Bill often talked about how he had to shovel snow prior to his dad leaving for work in the morning and had to shovel snow again before he got home. He hated the thought of snow until the day he passed away. He also recalled helping his grandfather on the farm across the road from where he lived. Bill also spoke of how he went to a Catholic School that was run by mean nuns when he was a child. As he got older, he went to trade school and learned basic mechanical work. When he turned 18, he joined the Navy and was on the ship during the Cuban Blockage. He served on the SS Mullinnix (DD-944). When Bill left the Navy, he decided he wanted to hitchhike from Rochester, NY to the deserts of Arizona so he can see what it would be like to sleep in the desert for one night.

He told stories of doing odds and ends at different people’s farms/houses to make money to achieve this. He was able to accomplish his goal and
at the end of it, he said that sleeping in the desert was a terrible idea and only did it for one night and headed out to explore other parts of the US. Bill lived a very exciting life.

Bill has two living sisters, Trena Scheffler and Wilimina (Willy) Antochi, one living brother, CJ Mayzak, and one deceased brother, Peter Mayzak. Bill spent a lot of time on the phone calling Trena and giving her a hard time.

Bill was married three times. His first wife was an exotic dancer from Florida. His second wife, Marilyn LaGrange (Mayzak/Percle), lives in Pearlington, MS. His last wife, the late Sharon (Van Pelt), Mayzak.

Bill has two biological children, Mary Tidwell (Mayzak) and Veronica  Mayzak. Mary has had so many wonderful memories with her father there are too many to list. The ones that stand out are going to Pensacola, Navarre Beach, Destin, and Panama City Beach, FL. Also, there are lots of memories of fishing and crabbing in Salt Bayou.

Bill adopted Randy Mayzak and was surrounded by many loving children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Many weekends were spent where he would love spoiling grandchildren Cecelia Tidwell and Addison Tidwell. Bill loved going to the beach and would bring his other grandchildren James Miller, Amanda Ohler, Kayla Flood, Kuira Flood, and Kristy Miller with him. He was known to enjoy life and the beach was his safe haven.

Bill was known to be a dog lover. He has had many dog companions throughout his lifetime. Three of his last dogs were Rat, Sebastian, and Mandy. He loved them unconditionally and called them his dog pillows. They were all spoiled rotten.

Bill was not known to have a lot of friends, but there is one friend that always was by his side-John “Claude” Robert. Claude loved to go crabbing with Bill and cut up with him. They were thick as thieves, always helping one another. Looking after each other.

Bill made a career out of working offshore. He worked for the most elite rigs in the world-Diamond, Odeko, and Schlumberger. He loved his job and would often catch wild tuna while he was out there and bring it home and sell it. He used to talk about how he has traveled all over the world and enjoyed life to the fullest.

He was a hard worker and loving father/grandfather. He was known for his fishing, crabbing, and Busch beer.

Everyone who knew Bill knew how much he loved crabbing, fishing, and gardening. He was definitely talented and had a green thumb. His daughter, Mary, hopes to be as wonderful at gardening as he was.

Bill will have a small Veterans Graveside Service at the Southeast Louisiana  Veterans Cemetery 34888 Grantham College Drive, Slidell, Louisiana 70460 at 1:30 pm on Monday March 25, 2024.