Ocean Springs, MS
Funeral Home
Bradford-o’Keefe
Visitation
Monday, June 2, 2025, 6-8 pm, Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, MS
Service
Tuesday, June 3, 11 am, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Biloxi, MS.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on May 25, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class Leward Denise, age 87, who had served within the 1355th Supply and Services Company has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Leeward “Bugga” Danise, age 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 25, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on December 3, 1937, in Biloxi, he was a lifelong resident of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Bugga dedicated his life to his country as a proud Sergeant First Class (Mess Sergeant) of the National Guard, and as a devout and faithful parishioner of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.
Bugga’s life was marked by his service to others and his country. He answered the call to serve in the National Guard at the age of 17, eventually ascending to the rank of Sergeant First Class and later deploying to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus for St. Alphonsus Catholic Parish who was passionate about dedicating his life to his faith and sharing His message. Outside of his passions, Bugga worked for more than four decades as a traveling pipefitter to provide for his family. Those who knew him best, knew that he was a no-frills man who said what he meant and meant what he said.
Bugga was preceded in death by his parents, Mae Higginbotham Danise and Oris “Shorty” Danise, siblings, Nora Wyble, James “JT” Danise, son-in-law Richard Timmons, granddaughters, Melissa and Tiffany Timmons, and his beloved wife of more than 54 years, Mary Inez Danise.
He leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Opal (Drake) Girouard, two children, Darren (Kellie) Danise, daughter, Darnell Danise-Timmons; three grandchildren, Rebecca and Rachael Timmons, Justin (Shay) Danise; and eight great-grandchildren, Brian Bellknap, Preston Sinclair, Brooklyn Benintende, Abigail Milbrathe, Azlynn Timmons, Abel Summerlin, and Vivian and Emma Danise.
Pallbearers will be Justin Danise, Darren Danise, Neil Girouard, Rusty Reeves, Richard Fairley and Dr. Sunny Selman.
Visitation will be held at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Monday, June 2 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Biloxi on Tuesday, June 3 at 11 a.m. Friends and those who would like to pay their respects are welcome to visit beginning at 10 a.m. until the start of Mass. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.