Obituaries; W & X Surnames for 2001 Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Kathy LaCombe-Tell Source; Lake Charles American Press (LCAP). The American Press has granted permission for the obituaries to be archived by the USGenWeb Project. They assume no responsibility in the accuracy of the information. They print only what is furnished to them by the indicated funeral home. The date beside the newspaper abbreviation is the date it was printed. Submitted December 2004 ~~~~~~ Copyright. All rights reserved. ~~~~~~ http://theusgenweb.net/copyright.htm Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm Harold J. Walker — 1/21/2001 WELSH — Funeral services for Harold J. "Teal" Walker, 84, will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, from Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church. The Rev. Whitney Miller will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home. Visitation is 3-9 p.m. today, with a rosary at 7 p.m., and from 9 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Mr. Walker died at 5:50 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, in his residence. A native of Mermentau, he had lived in Welsh most of his life. He was a graduate of Welsh High School, where he lettered in track and won numerous competitive events. He attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute. He was an insurance agent for Lloyd Diedrich Insurance Agency in Iowa. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and Woodmen of the World. He was a former volunteer fireman and was secretary/treasurer for the fire department for more than 25 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Lurlene H. Walker of Welsh; one son, Mike Walker of Welsh; one daughter, Brenda Daniel of Welsh; one sister, Elaine Henning of Groves, Texas; three grandsons; and four great-grandchildren. Robert A. Walters — 3/25/2001 JENNINGS — Memorial services for Robert Abbott Walters, 66, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, in New Life Christian Fellowship Church. Arrangements are by Matthews and Son Funeral Home. Mr. Walters died Friday, March 23, 2001, in the local hospital. Josephine L. Ward — 3/28/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral services for Josephine Lorraine Laws Ward, 77, will be at 2 p.m. today, March 28, in Union Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Benevolent Cemetery under the direction of V.H. Raphael Funeral Home. Mrs. Ward died Sunday, March 25, 2001, in the Jennings hospital. Mrs. James Ware — 8/23/2001 Funeral services for Mrs. James "Jimmy" (Rose Fontenot) Ware, 62, will be at 2 p.m. today, Aug. 23, in Johnson Funeral Home. The Rev. Charles Nugent will officiate. Burial will be in Indian Village Cemetery in Indian Village. Visitation is from 8 a.m. Mrs. Ware died at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, in her residence. She was a native of Welsh, and she had lived in Lake Charles for more than 50 years. She was a member of Living Way Pentecostal Church. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Randy Keever of Sulphur and Joey Ware of Lake Charles; one daughter, Carrie Farque of Sulphur; one brother, Ed Fontenot of Lake Charles; two sisters, Anna Belle Pete and Anna Blanche Fontenot, both of Westlake; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. John W. Watson — 9/1/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral services for John William "Bill" Watson, 95, will be at 2:30 p.m. today, Sept. 1, from Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Burial with military rites will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Matthews and Son Funeral Home. Visitation is from 8 a.m. A rosary was recited Friday. Mr. Watson died at 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2001, in the local hospital. He was a native of Lake Charles. He served in the Navy in World War II. He served three terms as mayor of Jennings, and he was a Jeff Davis Parish police juror for 16 years. He was an electrical contractor. He was the founder and former owner of Watson Electric Co. He was a member of James O. Hall American Legion Post 19 and was a past post commander. He was a member of the VFW. He was a member and past exalted ruler of the Elks lodge. He was a 75-year member of Woodmen of the World. He was a charter member and past president of the Lions Club. Survivors include his wife, Marie T. Watson of Jennings; one son, Hilton B. Watson of Jennings; three stepdaughters, Mrs. Steve (Marietta) Marceaux of Lake Arthur, Mrs. Joey (Marcia) Latiolais of Lafayette and Mrs. Steve (Mona) Cart of Crowley; one brother, Robert Watson of Springhill; three grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Our Lady Immaculate School or the Jennings Lions Club, the family said. William T. Welborn — 12/11/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral services for William T. ''Bill'' Welborn, 74, of Lafayette, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, in Jennings United Methodist Church. Burial with full military rites will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home. Mr. Welborn died at 5:05 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10. 2001, in his residence. Ouida H. Welch — 12/1/2001 LAKE ARTHUR — Funeral services for Ouida Hoffpauir Welch, 81, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Sue Pugh will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home. Visitation is from 1 p.m. Sunday in the church. Mrs. Welch died at 9:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, in the Jennings hospital. She was a native of Gueydan and a longtime resident of the Lake Arthur-Jennings area. She was a 1937 graduate of Lake Arthur High School. She was a former member of the Lake Arthur Library Club. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Welch Profimo of New Orleans and Maryanne Welch Orgeron of Vera Cruz, Mexico; one son, Harold Wayland Welch Jr. of Lake Arthur; one sister, Ella V. Hoffpauir Sweeney of Lake Charles; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Arvin West — 5/22/2001 JENNINGS -- Funeral services for Arvin West, 79, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24, in Miguez Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. He died at 9 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2001, in the Jennings hospital. Mrs. Laura B. White — 2/11/2001 ELTON — Funeral services for Mrs. Laura Brown White, 97, will be at 8 p.m. today, Feb. 11 in the Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Darrell Woods will officiate. Dismissal will be at 10 a.m. Saturday with burial in Eternal Rest Cemetery under the direction of Fondel Memorial Chapel of Kinder. Visitation is from 4 p.m. Friday at the church. Mrs. White died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, in her daugher's residence in Fenton. A native of Sunset, she had lived in Elton most of her life. She was a member of the Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Leanna DeVille of Fenton; two sons, Ray White of Iowa, La. and Arthur White of Garyville; 20 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Anna Wilkinson — 10/24/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral arrangements for Anna Wilkinson, 84, will be announced by Matthews and Son Funeral Home. She died Tuesday in a Lake Charles hospital. Anna M. Wilkinson — 10/26/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral services for Anna Marie Wilkinson, 84, of Moss Bluff, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Robert E. Malsbary will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Matthews and Son Funeral Home. Visitation is 10 a.m.-10 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Mrs. Wilkinson died at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001, in a Lake Charles hospital. She was a native of Jennings. She was a retired bookkeeper for the Jeff Davis Parish School Board. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of the Lem's Gems square dancing group. Survivors include her husband, Willard K. Wilkinson of Moss Bluff; two sons, Robert G. Gooch of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Terry D. Gooch of Springfield, Mo; three daughters, Jeannie Sellers of Greenville, S.C., Judy Derbes of Eunice and Donna McCormick of Jennings; two sisters, Clara Dommert of Jennings and Marguerite Brunt of Texas City, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and 15 grandchildren. Rufus Williams Sr. — 4/7/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral services for Rufus Williams Sr., 62, will be at 11:30 a.m. today, April 7, in Fondel Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Richard Leonard Williams Sr. will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation is from 9 a.m. Mr. Williams died at 1:20 a.m. Friday, March 30, 2001, in an Orange, Texas, hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Jennings. Survivors include his wife, Velma Perkins Williams or Orange, Texas; two sons, Rufus Williams Jr. and Benjamin Williams, both of Orange; one sister, Evanna Douglas of Jennings; one brother, the Rev. Richard Leonard Williams Sr. of Jennings; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Elizabeth Wilson — 9/23/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral arrangements for Elizabeth Wilson, 85, will be announced by H.G. Raphael Funeral Home. She died Saturday at the local hospital. Elizabeth B. Wilson — 9/28/2001 JENNINGS — Funeral services for Elizabeth Booth Wilson, 85, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in St. Paul Baptist Church. The Rev. Herman Arvie will officiate. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery under the direction of H.G. Raphael Funeral Home. Visitation is from 8 a.m. Saturday in the church. Mrs. Wilson died at 5:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001, in the local hospital. She was a native of Jennings and a former resident of Detroit. She lived in Los Angeles for more than 40 years, and she returned to Jennings about 15 years ago. She was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, and she served on the Deaconess Ministry. Survivors include one sister, Lena Bernice Broussard of Jennings; and one brother, Samuel Booth of Los Angeles. Gary L. Wilson — 5/8/2001 WELSH — Funeral services for Gary Lee Wilson, 56, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11, in Hixson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Jennings. Visitation is 2-10 p.m. Thursday. Mr. Wilson died in Hemphill, Texas. A native of Seminole, Okla., he had lived in Welsh for most of his life. He moved to San Augustine, Texas, a few years ago. He was an oil company rig consultant. Survivors include his wife, Kimber Wilson of San Augustine; one son, Dwayne Wilson of Welsh; two daughters, Rhonda Poole of Grand Lake and Tiersa Hebert of Welsh; one sister, Arlene Bergeron of Lake Charles; his mother, Lavelle Wilson of Welsh; and six grandchildren. LaVelle Wilson — 10/21/2001 WELSH — Funeral services for LaVelle Wilson, 79, will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in Hixson Funeral Home. The Rev. Jachin Dardar Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Jennings. Visitation is 2-9 p.m. today. Mrs. Wilson died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, in a Lake Charles care center. She was a native of Oklahoma and a longtime resident of Welsh. She was a homemaker. She was a member of and Sunday school teacher at Welsh Evangelistic Outreach Center. Survivors include one daughter, Arlene Bergeron of Lake Charles, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Thomas R. Wilson Sr. — 8/3/2001 SULPHUR — Funeral services for Thomas Ronnie Wilson Sr., 58, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, from Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. The Rev. Lawrence Koehler will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss under the direction of Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation is 8 a.m.-10 p.m. today, with a rosary at 7 p.m., and 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Mr. Wilson died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, in his residence. He was a native of Jennings. He was a Navy veteran. He retired from Vista as a welder in 1992. He was a member of VFW Post 8107. He was a member of the welders local in Lake Charles. He was a member of Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Denise Wilson of Sulphur; three sons, Thomas R. Wilson Jr. and Vernon Ray Wilson, both of Sapulpa, Okla., and William Roy Wilson of Buda, Texas; one stepson, Cory Fletcher of Hoopeston, Ill.; two daughters, Shirley Marie Barton of Sapulpa and Rebecca Elizabeth Wilson of Sulphur; one brother, Louis "Buddy" Wilson of Sulphur; his mother, Marjorie Wilson of Sulphur; and nine grandchildren. Thomas R. Wilson Sr. — 8/4/2001 SULPHUR — Funeral services for Thomas Ronnie Wilson Sr., 58, will be at 2 p.m. today, Aug. 4, from Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. The Rev. Lawrence Koehler will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss under the direction of Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation is from 8 a.m. in the funeral home. A rosary was recited Friday. Mr. Wilson died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, in his residence. He was a native of Jennings. He was a Navy veteran. He retired from Vista as a welder in 1992. He was a member of VFW Post 8107. He was a member of the welders local in Lake Charles. He was a member of Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Denise Wilson of Sulphur; three sons, Thomas R. Wilson Jr. and Vernon Ray Wilson, both of Sapulpa, Okla., and William Roy Wilson of Buda, Texas; one stepson, Cory Fletcher of Hoopeston, Ill.; two daughters, Shirley Marie Barton of Sapulpa and Rebecca Elizabeth Wilson of Sulphur; one brother, Louis "Buddy" Wilson of Sulphur; his mother, Marjorie Wilson of Sulphur; and nine grandchildren.