William "Billy" Ragusa

Billy was born on December 13, 1966 in Sulphur, Louisiana. He was the oldest of three children born to Breezie Alton Ragusa, Jr. and Joy Louise Chadick Ragusa. After graduating from Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie in 1984, he went on to graduate from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1990.

Billy had four passions in life: his family, LSU, the New York Mets, and golf. He especially enjoyed golfing with his brother, Jay, and listening to his sister, Shelley, tell stories about her son, Luke, and his success in karate, swimming, and tennis.

Billy was a patriotic person. He started young as a member of the Louisiana Young Republicans. He was the Louisiana Chairman for the re-election of George H.W. Bush in 1992 (Bush-Quayle ticket). Billy was also a very competitive guy. He started with swimming, diving, and playing football. Then, as an adult, he led a very successful restaurant (Ragusa’s) where he gave many young people their first opportunity to be employed. His competitive nature carried over into his job as a sales representative for Performance Food Group (PFG). He even extended his expectations for excellence to his sports teams - LSU and the New York Mets. He was a Tiger through and through. Ultimately, whether it was sports, business as a restaurant owner, or in his sales, Billy wanted to be number one. He went above and beyond for his customers and his employer. But most of all, he wanted to be number 1 in the eyes of his daughter, Brooke. She was the light of his life. Brooke’s success as an LSU graduate and LSU Law student made Billy very proud.

When it came to celebrations, Billy was first on everyone’s list of invitees. Whether it was Sports Beat, Pastime, Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras - Billy was your guy. He left us with hearts full of memories to last a lifetime and we will miss him just as long.

Billy was preceded in death by his grandparents: William “Bill” Chadick and Loryene Chadick; and Breezie Ragusa, Sr. and Ruby Evangeline Aaron Ragusa.

He is survived by his mother, Joy Ragusa; his father and step-mother, Breezie Ragusa, Jr. and Carol Ragusa; his brother, Jay Ragusa; his sister, Shelley Ragusa and her son, Luke Ragusa; and his daughter, Brooke Louise Ragusa Ydarraga (Joshua).

Visitation will be Saturday, August 20, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124. The funeral will follow at 3:00 p.m. The pastor from Munholland UMC, Dr. Jonathan Beck,will officiate.