Emile G. Wiltz, age 77, formerly of Biloxi, Mississippi, born June 7, 1931 in Biloxi, Miss., passed away Thursday, December 18, 2008 surrounded by family and friends. He was the oldest of two siblings. On Apirl 11, 1953, he married Helen Lepre and she survives.

He served in the US Army in the 1950's, during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he sold insurance for a brief period before opening his own business. He first owned and operated a restaurant then transitioned into the auto parts industry. As a businessman, he managed Quality Auto Parts, Inc., in Biloxi for 36 years, retiring in 1995. Mr. Wiltz was a member of Biloxi BPOE Lodge 606 and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi.

Emile was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Helen, nee Barras, Wiltz.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Lepre Wiltz, currently of O'Fallon, Illinois; his son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Cathy Wiltz of Biloxi, Miss., daughter Emilie Wiltz McLain of Tuscaloosa, Ala., daughter and son-in-law Anna and Bruce Card of O'Fallon, Ill;. grandchildren Katie and Jason Wiltz, Christian and Madeleine McLain, and Kathleen and Nicholas Emile Broussard.

Memorials in honor or Mr. Wiltz may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105 or at www.stjude.org.

Visitation: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Burial will follow at Southern Memorial Park Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi.