Willie was a lifelong resident of Charleston, SC died after a long but courageous battle with cancer
Attended Charleston Schools,served a four year apprenticeship as a machinist at J.F. McLaughlin Iron Works. He entered the Merchant Marines and signed on as an oiler, over the years he worked his way up to Chief Engineer, following in his brother Leroy's footsteps. In 1940, Willie applied for active duty in the U.S. Navy and was appointed a Lt. Jr. grade. He remained in the Navy until the end of World War II with the rank of Lt. Commander. In 1946, Willy joined the Todd Shipyard Corporation, as Port Engineer. From there in 1949 he became a Marine Surveyor with the U.S. Transpotation Corp. He retired in 1971.
He maried Catherine "Cat" Strickland of Charleston on May 4, 1931 in St. Patrick's Church in Charleston.
He was a very active member of the Knights of Columbus until his health declined.
Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 888 King St. Charleston on Jan. 1st, 1976, a very cold and bitter day. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.
Willie was the second child of eight of the late William Thomas & Mary Keegan Kanapaux. He was survived by his wife, his children, Catherine "Kitty" Cathcart, Mary Williams & William J. Jr., 16 grandchildren, 2 brothers, Leroy Thomas of Brooklyn, New York & James Francis of New Oeleans, LA, 5 sisters, Ruth Kennedy, Gertrude Rowland, Azalie McCrary, Genevive McMahon and Grace Flathmann, all of Charleston and numerable nieces & nephews.
Attended Charleston Schools,served a four year apprenticeship as a machinist at J.F. McLaughlin Iron Works. He entered the Merchant Marines and signed on as an oiler, over the years he worked his way up to Chief Engineer, following in his brother Leroy's footsteps. In 1940, Willie applied for active duty in the U.S. Navy and was appointed a Lt. Jr. grade. He remained in the Navy until the end of World War II with the rank of Lt. Commander. In 1946, Willy joined the Todd Shipyard Corporation, as Port Engineer. From there in 1949 he became a Marine Surveyor with the U.S. Transpotation Corp. He retired in 1971.
He maried Catherine "Cat" Strickland of Charleston on May 4, 1931 in St. Patrick's Church in Charleston.
He was a very active member of the Knights of Columbus until his health declined.
Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 888 King St. Charleston on Jan. 1st, 1976, a very cold and bitter day. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.
Willie was the second child of eight of the late William Thomas & Mary Keegan Kanapaux. He was survived by his wife, his children, Catherine "Kitty" Cathcart, Mary Williams & William J. Jr., 16 grandchildren, 2 brothers, Leroy Thomas of Brooklyn, New York & James Francis of New Oeleans, LA, 5 sisters, Ruth Kennedy, Gertrude Rowland, Azalie McCrary, Genevive McMahon and Grace Flathmann, all of Charleston and numerable nieces & nephews.
Willie was a lifelong resident of Charleston, SC died after a long but courageous battle with cancer
Attended Charleston Schools,served a four year apprenticeship as a machinist at J.F. McLaughlin Iron Works. He entered the Merchant Marines and signed on as an oiler, over the years he worked his way up to Chief Engineer, following in his brother Leroy's footsteps. In 1940, Willie applied for active duty in the U.S. Navy and was appointed a Lt. Jr. grade. He remained in the Navy until the end of World War II with the rank of Lt. Commander. In 1946, Willy joined the Todd Shipyard Corporation, as Port Engineer. From there in 1949 he became a Marine Surveyor with the U.S. Transpotation Corp. He retired in 1971.
He maried Catherine "Cat" Strickland of Charleston on May 4, 1931 in St. Patrick's Church in Charleston.
He was a very active member of the Knights of Columbus until his health declined.
Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 888 King St. Charleston on Jan. 1st, 1976, a very cold and bitter day. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.
Willie was the second child of eight of the late William Thomas & Mary Keegan Kanapaux. He was survived by his wife, his children, Catherine "Kitty" Cathcart, Mary Williams & William J. Jr., 16 grandchildren, 2 brothers, Leroy Thomas of Brooklyn, New York & James Francis of New Oeleans, LA, 5 sisters, Ruth Kennedy, Gertrude Rowland, Azalie McCrary, Genevive McMahon and Grace Flathmann, all of Charleston and numerable nieces & nephews.
Attended Charleston Schools,served a four year apprenticeship as a machinist at J.F. McLaughlin Iron Works. He entered the Merchant Marines and signed on as an oiler, over the years he worked his way up to Chief Engineer, following in his brother Leroy's footsteps. In 1940, Willie applied for active duty in the U.S. Navy and was appointed a Lt. Jr. grade. He remained in the Navy until the end of World War II with the rank of Lt. Commander. In 1946, Willy joined the Todd Shipyard Corporation, as Port Engineer. From there in 1949 he became a Marine Surveyor with the U.S. Transpotation Corp. He retired in 1971.
He maried Catherine "Cat" Strickland of Charleston on May 4, 1931 in St. Patrick's Church in Charleston.
He was a very active member of the Knights of Columbus until his health declined.
Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 888 King St. Charleston on Jan. 1st, 1976, a very cold and bitter day. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.
Willie was the second child of eight of the late William Thomas & Mary Keegan Kanapaux. He was survived by his wife, his children, Catherine "Kitty" Cathcart, Mary Williams & William J. Jr., 16 grandchildren, 2 brothers, Leroy Thomas of Brooklyn, New York & James Francis of New Oeleans, LA, 5 sisters, Ruth Kennedy, Gertrude Rowland, Azalie McCrary, Genevive McMahon and Grace Flathmann, all of Charleston and numerable nieces & nephews.
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