Billy, aka “Bill,” is survived by his wife of 31 years, Ana Grace Fontenot, with whom he had two children: Aaron Joseph Fontenot and Celina Grace Fontenot. Bill was a loving father to his stepson, Matthew Lendon Creel, father-in-law to Matthew’s wife Gerrianne, and “PawPaw Bill” to his three grandchildren: Cheyenne, Lane, and Lendon Creel. Bill is also survived by his two brothers; Rayford Fontenot and wife Chris, Sammy Fontenot and wife Debbie, and his two sisters; Agatha Richard and husband Jack, and Sue Boullion and husband, Ronnie.
On January 30th, 1945, Bill was born in Eunice, Louisiana, to Villa Joseph (V.J.) and Pearl Marie (McGee) Miller. He was lovingly raised by his mother, Pearl Miller, and stepfather, Mayan Joseph Miller. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, V.J. Fontenot, Peal Miller, and Mayan Miller.
In his youth, Bill served his country for four years as an Army engineer, traveling across the world, from Thailand to Germany. After the military, Bill graduated from McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with a bachelor’s in accounting. After college, his professional career took an impressive turn. He mastered everything from investigating New Orleans crime rings for the IRS to opening his own Cajun food restaurant with his family and close friend. At the end of his career, Bill worked as a Behavioral Detection Officer for Homeland Security, doing what he did best; people-watching. He retired in 2014 and spent the rest of his years doing what he loved with the people he loved.
Anyone who knew Bill can tell you he was LSU’s #1 fan. When he wasn’t cooking the weekend away with his classic rum-and-coke in hand, you could find him guarding the T.V. remote, so he never missed an LSU touchdown or the chance to give the ref a piece of his mind.
When he wasn’t watching LSU football, Bill found ways to be outdoors. He enjoyed fishing on Toledo Bend with his friends and family, caring for his treasured St. Augustine lawn, and hunting with his brother-in-law, Eric Creel, and his two sons: Matt and Aaron. Bill also enjoyed spending his time in his backyard shed, restoring old furniture, helping his kids build their last-minute school projects, bringing his wife’s dream home to life, and enjoying countless ice-cold beers and laughs with his buddies over the years.
Bill’s love language was food, and his renowned boudin and Cajun-style BBQ made him a “small-town-celebrity.” Some may remember him as “Mr. Bill,” owner of 2 Cajuns Café, where he became a staple of the community and brought the joy of Cajun cooking to his friends and family across La Porte for over ten years. Bill’s love and memory continue to live on through the Cajun dishes and good times he shared with us all.
Bill was a life-long man of God and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for over 30 years, along with his wife and three children.
The family will be having a memorial gathering on Monday, May 16, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with military honors at 5:30 pm and a rosary being recited at 6:00 pm.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandviewfunerals.com for the Fontenot family.
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