William Waller Young, Jr., Lt. Col., USMC Ret., age 96, left this life on January 24, 2012 in Gulfport, Mississippi surrounded by family. Preceded in death by his parents, William Waller Young and Sylvia Grillot Young. Loving husband of 63 years of Jeanne Watters Young. Father of Linda Williams (Bragg), Sylvia Young, Sally Christovich (Rick), William Young III (Ann), Stephen Young, Nena Mullen (Tommy), Allan Young (Alane), John Young, Anne Eckert (Billy) and Cathy Viola (Michael). Grandfather of Andrew Williams (Brandi), Jeanne Baxter (John), Patricia Gilstrap (Mark) and Chris Williams; Jamie Christovich (Leigh Ann), Louise Christovich and Patrick (Patricia) Christovich; Margaret Douglass (Kevin) and William Young IV; Caroline and Stephen Young; Joshua, Philip (Holly), Jeanne and Jackie Mullen; Chase and Madeleine Young; Emily Anne Pertuit; Harry and Nick Eckert; and John (Ashley) and Kristin Viola. Great-Grandfather of Henry and Gibson Williams; William and Rebecca Baxter; Eliza and Cecile Christovich; Marie and Sean Murphy; Savannah Young; Elle Powers and Piper Mullen. "Gounga" will be missed by them all.

Mr. Young was born in New Orleans and graduated from New Orleans Academy, Tulane University and Tulane Law School. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and Phi Delta Phi International Fraternity. Mr. Young earned the Best All Around Camper from Camp Wyaconda in 1925. Mr. Young joined the Marine Corps Platoon Leader's Class in 1936, Officer's Candidate School in 1939, and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, for which service he was awarded the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal twice, and earned numerous other commendations, including three campaign medals and the American Defense and Victory World War II medals. He was the Guest of Honor at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in New Orleans
in 1987.

Mr. Young was active in many civic, legal, and military societies, including the National Safety Council, South Louisiana Chapter (formerly the Metropolitan Safety Council) (Past Chairman); The Metropolitan Crime Commission (Past Chairman); the Military and Hospitalier Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem (Knight Order of St. Lazarus and Compassionate of Merit); the Knights of Malta; the Navy League of the United States (Past President New Orleans Council and National Vice-President); New Orleans Bar Association (Past President); Tuberculosis Association of New Orleans (Past President); The Marine Corps League; The Board of Trustees for Catholic University; the President's Council of Tulane University; Louisiana Military Order of Foreign Wars (Past Chairman); The Brittingham Viking Organization and International Scholarship Fund; and Chairman of the Xavier University Celebration for Pope John Paul II in 1987. He was the Attorney and Notary for the Jackson Homestead Association, and on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Homestead and Pelican Homestead and Savings Associations. He was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Society, the Notaries Association of New Orleans (Past President) and the International Latin Notariate Society.

Mr. Young was active in numerous Carnival organizations, serving as Captain, Lieutenant and in other official capacities, and was King of several of these organizations. In addition, he was a Member of The Lake Shore Club. His reign as Rex, King of Carnival, 1987, was by far the highlight of his devotion to Mardi Gras.

Mr. Young enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and the great outdoors. He particularly enjoyed spending his time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at his summer home. Numerous encounters with hurricanes did not dampen his spirits or his love of "The Pass". He and his family loved going "Across the Lake" for the summer and on every possible weekend throughout the year.

The family would like to thank Johnny King for his dedicated and loving care of Mr. Young for the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Fund, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, Virginia, 22172, or The Wounded Warriors Fund, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256, in his name would be greatly appreciated.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:00 Noon. The family will attend a private interment. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com