Wilson Thibodeaux

Rayne –– Funeral services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Thursday, February 12, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at a Mass of Christian Burial for Wilson Thibodeaux, 91, who died Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at his residence in Rayne, LA.
Interment were in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2, Rayne, LA.
Surviving are two sons, William Thibodeaux and wife, Judy, of Lafayette, Clarence Thibodeaux of Lake Charles; two daughters, Betty Thibodeaux Pellissier and husband, Leo, of Morgan City, Velma Thibodeaux Gautreaux and husband, Richard, of Crowley; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great- grandchildren, along with a number of loving and caring friends and relatives.
Wilson was one of the kindest people you would ever meet, he never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by wife, Rose Mae Meanrd Thibodeaux; one son, Wilton Thibodeaux; father, Joseph Andale Thibodeaux; mother, Mary Z. Pepper Thibodeaux; and eleven siblings.
In March 1943 at the age of 18 Wilson honorably served his country during World WarII. He proudly served with the 27th U.S. Army Infantry Division in the West Pacific at Saipan, New Hebrides, Okinawa, and on mainland Japan immediately following Imperial Japan’s unconditional surrender. Wilson was proud of his military service, and he prided himself on a strong work ethic.
Wilson worked various jobs in Rayne before he found his calling, boat engineer on various crew boats plying the gulf waters of the oil industry. He loved tinkering with machinery. Since 1990 Wilson was employed and volunteered at VFW Post 9822 in Judice. He was also a charter member of the World WarII Museum.
Wilson was thankful of the Louisiana Honor Air Mission and was especially proud of his visit on May 11, 2007 to the WWII memorial in Washington, DC
A rosary was recited Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA.
Friends were received at Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., Rayne, LA Thursday, February 11, 2016, 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Friday, February 12, 2016, 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne.