A tribute to the life of Joseph Paul Hans.

Joe was born to Tibbie and Henry Hans September 3, 1935. He grew up in Helena, Mississippi with his dog, horse, and rifle. Joe graduated from Moss Point High School in 1953 and from Mississippi State University in 1957 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. At Mississippi State, he was a member of the Army ROTC, Third Army ROTC Rifle Team, and Commander of the military marching band. With his performance with his 10th in the nation rifle team, he was personally commended on his exceptionally high individual scores by Lieutenant General, USA Commanding A.R. Bolling saying, "This exemplary performance is indicative of your superior knowledge of marksmanship and reflects diligent application of this hard-earned skill." With his outstanding leadership, he was awarded with Distinguished Military Graduate, offering him three times to receive Direct Commission Officer to the U.S. Army. He chose the ROTC Commission instead and joined the Army National Guard.
From here, he became pilot of fixed wing and rotary-wing air ambulance with the 123rd Medical Company in Meridian, MS, where he met the love of his life, Clare Weddington. Joe served in the National Guard for many years before following in his father's footsteps, shortly then taking over Hans Construction Company. He was a problem-solver whiz with his civil engineer knowledge and worked with many industries onshore and offshore with his cranes and as a consultant.
Joe enjoyed being responsible for marine salvage after storms. During his work in the marine salvage industry, he came in possession and ownership of an offshore supply vessel (OSV). Being married to a dance teacher, he named the vessel "Pirouette". This huge vessel was so sunk in Freshwater Bayou in Louisiana that the only part to be seen was about 4' of the mast above the water. How it was raised out of the water, reconditioned, dry-docked in New Jersey, and then ordered into service by then President Clinton to assist in the recovery of the TWA Flight 800 crash off Long Island as USS Pirouette for 30 days is an interesting story.
During Hurricane Katrina, two army ships were blown from Halter Marine into the marsh of the Pascagoula River. He was the brains behind removing them from "dry-docked in mud" to floating again in the river. After Katrina, he once again spent time with friends on his shrimp boat and raising cows and sugarcane with the help of Grover Furniss. He also enjoyed being an Elk, Rotarian, member of the YMBC in Moss Point, a Quiet Birdmen (QB), and faithful servant of the Lord at Moss Point Presbyterian Church and Ocean Springs Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Moss Point Presbyterian Church or the Ocean Springs First Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tibbie and Henry Hans, and his brother Mayo. He leaves behind his bride of 57 years, Clare Weddington Hans; their 3 children Joey Conwill (George), Paul Hans (Hollea), Holly Beaugez; grandchildren Sanders and Samuel Edmonson, Hudson and Sarah Hans, Aden, Tanner, and Dawson Beaugez, Jake (Ally, Brooke) and Sam Conwill; sister Janie Edwards and nephew Stewart Edwards (Rebecca, Holman, Dabney); niece Julie Stewart (Jeff).
As a tribute to Joe, the following have been selected at Pallbearers:
Sanders Edmonson, Samuel Edmonson, Aden Beaugez, Hudson Hans, Tanner Beaugez, Dawson Beaugez, John Goshorn, and Holman Edwards
Honorary Pallbearers: Sarah Hans and Dabney Edwards
Visitation, Tuesday, December 27, 1:00pm Moss Point Presbyterian Church
Service 2:00pm then proceed to Griffin Cemetery
Gathering afterwards at Moss Point Presbyterian Church