Billy Thomas Louviere was born September 17, 1940 in Lafayette, LA and passed at 6:50 AM Friday, August 23, 2013 in Loreauville at the age of 72, at his home with his wife and family by his side. Billy was a native of New Iberia and a residence of Loreauville for 28 years. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Mercedes (Curtis) Louviere of 45 years. The family will receive visitors at David Funeral Home in New Iberia on Sunday, August 25, 2013, from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM and on Monday, August 26, 2013, from 8:00 AM until services. A rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Sunday at 6:00 PM. A Mass will be held at St. Josephs Catholic Church of Loreauville on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM. Mr. Louviere will be laid to rest following Mass with Full Military Honors by the U. S. Navy Honor Guard and the V. F. W. Post 1982 Honor Guard at Beau Pre Memorial Park in Jeanerette, LA. The Readers will be his grandchildren Jaide Frances Sumrall-DeRouen and Mary Chelsie Louviere. The Gift Bearers will be grandchildren Steven Jacob Sumrall, Slade Shane Thomas Louviere Jr., Elizabeth Rachelle Louviere. Vocalists are Charlene Douglas and Nicole Reaux who will sing Eyes on a Sparrow , Kenneth Moore who will sing Old Rugged Cross and Tiffany Mautrin who will sing Amazing Grace . Pallbearers will be Slade Shane Thomas Louviere Sr., Curtis Damian Louviere, Steven Jacob Sumrall, Slade Shane Thomas Louviere Jr., Steven Wayne Sumrall, and Kenneth David Moore. The Honorary Pallbearers will be Harold Gene Louviere, Kent Byron, and Norris Perry Rader Jr. His grandson, Dustin Lee Kenmuir of the United States Army will lead the procession as the military escort. Mr. Louviere was preceded in death by his parents- Harold Thomas Louviere, a WWII veteran, Mary Frances (Rogers) Louviere, his brother John Edwin Louviere, and his infant twin daughters Mercy Ann and Mary Ann. He was a retired veteran of the United States Navy. He entered the service January 7, 1959 during the Vietnam War serving on the USS Yorktown. He served as a Personnel 3rd class and as a part of the US Navy Seabees. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Battle E Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Persian Gulf Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Reserve Mediterranean Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Ribbon. He was also awarded two Good Conduct Medals. He retired on March 1, 1997 as an EO1 Reservists. He was a very dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, dancing, watching westerns and wrestling. He was an avid Saints fan and coached Little League and umpired games. His Children are Lawrence "Rocky" DeRouen III and his wife Lori of La Pryor, TX, Kayann Louviere-Fanello and her husband Dominic of Nashville, TN, Leeannda Kay DeRouen-Moore and her husband Kenneth of New Iberia, Slade Shane Thomas Louviere Sr. of New Iberia, Scarlett Francine Louviere-Sumrall and her husband Steven of Loreauville, and Curtis Damian Louviere of Abbeville. He has twenty-three grandchildren, Tanity, Jolie, Danielle, Amy, Amanda, Courtney, Eran, Dustin, Tanya, George, Demetry, Mary, Elizabeth, Slade Jr., Gabrielle, Jaide, Steven, Ashley, Brady, Caleb, Sierra, Erin, and Carmen. And nineteen great grandchildren, Chyann, Avery, Chance, Elijah, Davis, Ethan, Annakate, Isabella, Bryton, Ashynn, Kayden, Celes, Layna, Logann, Cameron, Kale, Landon, Amalie', and Cle'lie and one due in February. He is also survived by his siblings, Harold Gene Louviere (Gail) of New Iberia, Collette Claire Louviere-Rader (Norris, Jr) of Lafayette and Kent Byron of Lafayette. Sister-in-law Susan Rogers-Louviere of New Iberia. The family would also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Louvieres caregivers, Nicole Reaux, Charlene Douglas, Kathy Spell, Leeannda Moore and to Dr. Hankenhof for his many years of extraordinary care and compassion. A special thanks to Scarlett Louviere -Sumrall for her many years of tireless care and devotion to her father and for being an anchor of strength to her mother. David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
