Billy Ray Ledano

Billy Ray Ledano, 76, passed away on April 26, 2024. He was born on November 13, 1947, in Wahneta, Florida, to John Baptise Ledano and Evelyn Walker Shipley.

Billy lived his early years in Grand Chenier and attended South Cameron High School.  He served in the US Army and fought in the Vietnam War.

Billy’s ‘jack of all trades’ skill sets contributed to a multi-faceted career spanning from the oil field to pest control to concrete/bricks even owning his own water well company at one time. His role at the Lake Charles American Press for over ten (10) years allowed him to bring his grandson and son to work creating an everlasting bonding experience with them.

Always a fierce competitor, Billy could be found playing cards or shooting pool – where he was not likely to lose. Billy cherished his coffee talk with his oldest daughter over crazy rummy games which resulted in spiral notebooks upon notebooks of score sheets.   As of late, Billy could be found every Wednesday morning at the local VFW hall on Lake Street from 9AM to 12PM playing booray.

He was a regular fixture at Linda’s Lounge shooting pool always keen for the next opportunity to take out a challenger for his table while honing his skill winning tournaments with his team, Bayou Gators.

Billy loved to fish for gar and crab in Cameron and Big Lake – most likely from the side of the road. During summers in the 80’s, he would “recruit” his two daughters to rise at 4AM to go shrimping.

Billy was content tinkering around his “Sanford & Son” antique lot creating something out of nothing. If it could be reused, recycled, or reclaimed, Billy added it to his vast collection.  His knack for finding vintage roadside “treasures” was remarkable, many of which reside at his house on Nelson Rd to this day.

Billy maintained his sharp wit and sarcastic sense of humor telling jokes and stories abound.  He was an expert on most things freely sharing that no one knew how to do anything right but him. He was an advocate for real life educational opportunities highlighting exactly when someone could use improvement while providing verbal motivation not to make the same mistake twice.

Although he would have never admitted it with his tough grit, hard-headed façade, Billy’s heart would shine bright whenever a family member was in need providing a warm smile, a caring hug, or the shirt off his back.

Those left to cherish his memory are daughter Dawne Elizabeth Ledano (Linda Malone), granddaughter, Ashtyn Malone Ledano, of Houston; son John Fruge (Alexus Higginbotham), granddaughters Evelynn and Madilynn Hatcher of West Lake; grandson Sean McFarlain (Jessie), great-granddaughter, Sutton Mechelle, and great-grandson Memphis Ray; sisters Elma Mirinda Morales (Ruben) of Lake Charles, Vicki Connor (David) of Cameron, LA, Mary Ledano and Cathy Chiles of Sulphur, LA; brothers Kenneth Ledano of Austin, TX, Owens Ledano (Lisa) of Grand Lake, LA; sister-in-law Martha Hebert Richard of Grand Lake, LA; brother-in-law Carlos Belanger of Grand Lake, LA; sisters Betty Gonzales of Bartow, FL, Erlene Beaird of Montgomery, AL and Carla Kovalsky of Gainesville, GA; his companion, Gwen Fruge of Lake Charles, LA and 11 nieces/nephews, 11 great nieces/nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Ledano; daughter, Mechelle Ledano; granddaughter, Scarett Ritter; grandson, Little Scott; father, John Baptiste Ledano; mother, Merilia “Tout” Ledano; mother, Evelyn Walker Shipley; sister, Theresa Ledano Belanger; brother Anthony “Tony” Ledano; nephew, Bryan Morales; brothers, John Richard Ledano, Robert “Little Joe” Ledano, Ted Williams, and David Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024, in the Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles Chapel. A private burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the start of the service at 1:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made via Zelle (Dawne Ledano), Venmo (@DawneELedano).

The family would like to give special thanks to his card playing and pool shooting buddies who gave their time and shared their love with Billy.