The Rev. William “Bill” Vollor of Hattiesburg died Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Forrest General Hospital. He was 76.

Father Vollor was ordained a priest on May 1, 1963, and served at Nativity Cathedral in Biloxi, St. John’s in Crystal Springs, St. Michael’s in Biloxi, Sacred Heart in Hattiesburg and St. Ann’s in Lizana, St. Clare in Waveland and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lumberton. He was founding pastor of Sacred Heart Dedeaux and instrumental with the cooperation of WLOX television station in starting the Catholic Weekly Hour, which lasted for more than 20 years, and was a moving force in restarting the Catholic Cursillo Movement in Mississippi more than 40 years ago. He was pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hattiesburg for the past 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Joseph Vollor; and a brother, the Rev. John Vollor.

He is survived by his mother, Valera Vollor of Madison; two brothers, Tim Vollor of Auburn, Ala., and Frank Vollor of Vicksburg; a sister, Valera Derivaux of Huntsville, Ala.; 15 nieces and nephews; congregants of Holy Rosary Catholic Church; and the bishop and priests of the Diocese of Biloxi.

Masses of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. today at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hattiesburg with Bishop Roger Morin officiating and at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Catholic Church in Vicksburg with Bishop Joseph Latino, bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, officiating. Bishop William Houck, retired bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, and other diocesan priests, will celebrate. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at St. Paul’s from 10 a.m. until the Mass.

Pallbearers will be Charles Stasny, Billy Ray Dedeaux, Clifford Malley, Werlin Ladner, Fred Peterman, Joe Necaise, Frank Niemeyer Jr., Frank Gates and Arthur Walker. Priests of the diocese will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Moore Funeral Home in Hattiesburg and Riles Funeral Home in Vicksburg are handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 900 Dabbs St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401.