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Submitted: 5/6/24 • Approved: 5/16/24 • Last Updated: 5/19/24 • R477777-G0-S3
July 21, 1937 - January 22, 2023
Billy Ray Lafitte was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 21, 1937. He was affectionately known as Bill, Bilbo to his younger sister and Pops when he became a grandfather. He was a current resident of Keithville, LA. Bill went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, January 22, 2023 at the age of 85. He was reunited with his mother, Dorothy Seiler and his stepfather, whom he considered his "real" dad, C.J. Seiler.
Mr. Bill was a resident of Shreveport, LA before moving to New Orleans for a short time with his mother and younger sister, Barbara Faye. After graduating high school, they all moved back to Shreveport and soon after, he enlisted in the Navy and served our country from March 1955 to June 1958 as a radio repairman in the media room. His last duty assignment was aboard the USS Lexington before being honorably discharged. When he returned home, he met the love of his life in the girl who lived next door. He married Mrs. Barbara Jean Leone in a beautiful ceremony on November 18, 1960. They welcomed their first daughter, Darlene, in January of 1962 followed by their second daughter, Karen, in December of the same year.
Mr. Bill was always a family man. From the moment he became a father, he supported both of his daughters in everything they did. From cheering, to basketball, and dancing with various spirit groups throughout the years. He never missed a game or performance and always beamed with pride from the stands. This did not change when he became a grandfather. He continued to attend numerous performances, parades, soccer and baseballs games with the same beaming pride.
His home was always the “fun house” where all his daughters, cousins and friends would gather for cookouts, laughs, and time together. The boys would be outside playing basketball with Mr. Bill then the girls would stay over for slumber parties in their living room.
Throughout the years, Mr. Bill enjoyed riding trail bikes and camping in the woods of Arkansas. He took his family on many camping and canoeing trips. They were always traveling in their Coleman camper, pulling it all the way to California and back. He enjoyed photography and took many pictures of his girls and nature. They always had their pets with them as well on these trips. They shared their home with many cats and dogs over the years but his favorite was his faithful companion, a small yorkie named L’Air.
He always enjoyed his job as a pest control man. His first job was with Orkin then he went on to start his own pest control business: Lafitte Pest Control, Inc. He always enjoyed his clients, many of which stayed loyal to him for many years. When he retired in 2018, he said the thing he would miss the most was seeing his clients.
In more recent years, Mr. Bill enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Barbara, his sister, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on Sundays where there was always good food to be had. He had a big sweet tooth and always looked for the sweets before the meal. His family would know when he spotted the sweets when they heard “oh boy!”
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Barbara Jean Lafitte; daughters, Darlene Lafitte and Karen Lafitte Hester and her husband, Phillip; grandchildren, Briana Hester Peet and her husband, Matthew and Cody Hester; great grandchildren, Adalynn Peet and Emerson Peet; younger sister, Barbara Faye Lafitte; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Bill will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108, followed by a celebration of life at 10:00 AM. Officiating the service will be Pastor John Lary of Calvary Baptist Church. Honoring him as pallbearers, Phillip Hester, Cody Hester, Matthew Peet, David Cagle, David Pinnick and Jeff Curren. He will be laid to rest in Forest Park West, 4000 Meriwether Rd., Shreveport, LA.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses and doctors at Willis Knighton South for their care of Mr. Bill in his final days. Also to family, friends, neighbors, and former clients who have all expressed their love, kept us in their prayers, and shared fond memories of Mr. Bill.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Billy's memory may be made to Robinson's Rescue, https://robinsonsrescue.org/.
Contributed on 5/6/24 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 477777