Joseph W. Billy Higginbotham

Joseph Willard "Billy" Higginbotham, 86, died Thursday, March 29, 2012, in a local care facility.

Born in Church Point, Louisiana, to Simon Abner and Beatrice Barousse Higginbotham, Mr. Higginbotham lived most of his life in the Sulphur/Lake Charles area. He served his country during World War II in the U. S. Navy. He was a mechanic for forty-five years, working at All-Star GMC/Buick for the last years of his career. He was most generous with his talent as a mechanic, always willingly helping family, friends and neighbors when they had problems with their vehicles. Prior to his wife's death, he and she loved to dance. He was an avid camper and gardener, but his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Higginbotham was a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur.

Mr. Higginbotham is survived by his children, Peggy Jones and husband Joe, Brenda Manuel and husband Gill, and Elaine Dyer and husband Craig; grandchildren, Jan Kendall and husband Jamey, Amanda Liuzza and husband Adam, Christy Blouin and husband Justin, Amy Lanier and husband Brett, and his only grandson, Troy Dyer; nine great grandchildren; and siblings, Wilda Whittaker of Somerset, Kentucky, Wilson "Boy" Higginbotham and wife Ora of Westlake, Hamiel Higginbotham and wife Belle of Lake Charles, Mattie Stanford of Sunset, Carl Higginbotham and wife Dovie of Church Point, Clara LeBlanc and husband Larry of Rayne, and Bobby Higginbotham and wife Lorraine of Carencro.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-four years, Hazel Fontenot; sister Esther Daigle; and brother, Simon Ward Higginbotham.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 2, 2012, at Johnson Funeral Home. Father Alan Trouille will officiate. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 until 9 p.m., with a rosary at 6 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Harbor House Hospice, 2501 E. Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA 70601.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation for the compassionate care given their father to the staff of DeQuincy Care Center.