WILLIE JOHN CHARPENTIER SR.
December 25, 1942 – May 12, 2019
Funeral services celebrating the life of Willie John Charpentier Sr. will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church during an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Father Cedric Sonnier will be the Celebrant for the Mass. In keeping with Willie’s wishes, he will be cremated following the Mass with a private inurnment in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date.
Willie was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1942, in the small community of Freetown in lower St. Mary Parish, and passed away on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the age of 76 in the peace and comfort of his home in Baldwin surrounded in love. He was the seventh of nine children born to the late Adonis Charpentier and the late Telesia Eskind Charpentier. A 1962 graduate of Hanson Memorial School, Willie went to work in what would become a lifelong career in the Oil Industry, retiring from Shell Oil on January 1, 2000.
On February 28, 1965, he married the love of his life, Rose Mary Boudreaux, who he met on August 8, 1960 on a blind date at the Teche Theater in Franklin. They settled in Baldwin and were blessed with four children.
Willie was a true outdoorsman whose passions included alligator hunting, fishing, and hunting, especially deer hunting. He passed that love for the outdoors on to his children and grandchildren and loved teaching them all that he learned throughout his life.
But more important than his love of nature was his love for God and his Catholic faith. A longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Baldwin, he served his church in various capacities, including as an usher and helping with many church functions in whatever ways were needed. He was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Baldwin-Charenton Council 6873, of which he served as a past Grand Knight and was privileged to be named Knight of the Year. He also was a recipient of the Bishop’s Service Award for 2012-2014.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of 54 years, Rosie B. Charpentier; four children, Willie John “Skipper” Charpentier Jr., Donna C. Rogers and her husband Mike, David Joseph Charpentier and his wife Mary Beth, and Daniel Matthew Charpentier and his wife Jessica “Tika”; 14 grandchildren, Krystyn Charpentier, Kevin Hebert, Kayleigh Charpentier, Mikey Rogers Jr. and his wife Ferran, Kenny Rogers and his companion Allie, Cody Peterson and his wife Alexis, Dustin Rogers, Jacob Rogers, Emily Hebert and her husband Anthony, David Charpentier Jr., Sarah Charpentier and her fiancé Cody Johnson, Demi Albert and her companion Jessica, Becca Albert, and Whitney Albert; 12 great grandchildren, Brantley, Kayleigh, Koen, Drew, Addison, Isabella, Fisher, Iris, Luke, Lillian, Charlotte, and Zoey; four siblings, Joyce Eldridge, Myra Rogers and her husband Melvin, Ray Charpentier, and Jerry Charpentier and his wife Diane; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four siblings, Faye Helen Charpentier, Louis Charpentier, Johnny Charpentier, and Ann Terrebonne; brothers-in-law, Terry Eldridge and Alvin Terrebonne; and sisters-in-law, Thelma Diane Charpentier and Cloria “Jenny” Charpentier.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Wednesday, May 15, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 7 p.m., led by his Brother Knights. Visiting hours will resume Thursday, May 16, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Baldwin at 9 a.m. until time of Mass.
Serving as pallbearers will be Willie “Skipper” Charpentier Jr., David Charpentier, Daniel Charpentier, Mike Rogers, Cody Peterson, David Charpentier Jr., Dustin Rogers, and Jacob Rogers. Honorary pallbearers will be Mikey Rogers Jr., Kenny Rogers, Kevin Hebert, Anthony Hebert, and Cody Johnson.
The Charpentier family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Valorie, Adrienne, Carlisa, and Sam with Bridgeway Hospice, as well as the entire staff, and especially his caregiver, Jennifer Savoie.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.
(Paid Notice)