Willie Louis Leger
Rayne--A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Willie Louis Leger, 84, of Rayne will be celebrated on Monday, May 25, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rayne. Serving as celebrant is Father Michael Steven Guidry, with Father Kendal Faulk and Father Samuel Fontana serving as concelebrants. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery #2 Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 25, 2015 from 10:00 A.M. until service time in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rayne, with a rosary being recited at 10:40 A.M. in the church.
Mr. Leger passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 7:40 P.M. in his residence.
Born in 1930 in the Mire Community to Adonicien Leger and Edith Stelly Leger, Willie was a lifelong residence of Rayne. He attended elementary and secondary public schools in Rayne, graduating from Rayne High School in 1948.
Willie was in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany as a radioman. He earned the rank of Corporal before his discharge in 1953. In 1954 he married Jeanette Guidry Leger, to whom he remained married for over 61 years until his passing.
Willie was employed with Coca Cola Bottling Company in San Antonio, TX, capturing national recognition sales in 1955. He returned to Louisiana, and was employed with the U.S. Post Office as a clerk/carrier from 1958 until his retirement in 1990 as Supervisor of Postal Operations.
As a valued member of Acadian Council 1897 of Knight of Columbus, Willie served as Grand Knight in 1980 - 1981, and he held several other offices, including Treasurer. He was also named Knight of the Year on two occasions, the only Knight earning that distinction. He also garnered the distinction as Family of the Year. Willie also held membership in American Legion Arceneaux Post 77 from 1957.
Willie was a great cook, and enjoyed cooking for 25 years for Knights of Columbus meetings and banquets. His love of fishing was a joy for his children and grandchildren, spending many weekend days in the nearby ponds, and at the cost for crabbing and fishing from the banks. He loved to whittle, and he made many walking canes, and he had a passion for clocks and watches, lovingly caring for his collection. Willie also loved plants, especially caring for cactus, and his unusual pets, such as a barn owl, snakes, rabbits, and pigeons. Summers always found Willie and his family traveling out of state, visiting the capitols of every state visited. Retirement provided Willie with the opportunity to visit all 50 states, and several visits to Canada, Mexico, and wonderful visits to his former duty station in Germany, as well as Rome and Venice in Italy, France, and Monaco.
Willie was a devoted son to his parents, a devoted, compassionate helpmate to his wife, and a loving father and grandfather. His greatest joy was caring for and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife of over 61 years, Jeanette Guidry Leger of Rayne; daughters, Debra L. Green and husband, Scott of Rayne, Cheryl L. Neu, M.D. and husband, Jay of Lafayette, and Helen L. Johnson, R.D.H. and husband, Jay of Shreveport; son, Edward. N. Leger of Rayne; sister, Elva Jane L. Venable of Lafayette; brother, James Aristle Leger of Lafayette; grandchildren, Jeremy Gilbert and wife, Christina, Janine Guidry, Jason Neu, Jacob Neu, Christina Gautier, and Elizabeth Leger; great-grandchildren, Tylin Winbush, Raven Guidry, Leah Guidry, twins Owen and Olivia Gilbert, and Isabella Gilbert; and step-grandchildren, Hannah Johnson, Chloe Johnson, and Collin Johnson.
Preceding Willie in death were his parents, Adonician Leger and Edith Stelly Leger; and sister, Ruby L. Domingue.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rayne Catholic Elementary, or to Notre Dame High School.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net
Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne has been entrusted with arrangements.