William Graves Castle, Jr.

William Graves "Bill" Castle, Jr., 71, died Sunday, May 1, 2011, in his home with his loving wife at his side. He was a Christian and is now with Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

Born to William Graves, Sr. and Marguerite Wheeler Castle in Lake Charles, Mr. Castle was a 1958 graduate of Lake Charles High School and a 1962 graduate of Louisiana State University School of Finance. He attended Texas AM University from 1958-1959, where he was awarded the Distinguished Student Award. He was a real estate developer and a Certified Professional Landman and held Louisiana licenses in real estate and in general contracting. He was also the manager of the family owned business, Castle Realty Investments.

Active in many and various business and community organizations, Mr. Castle was a member of Delta Sigma Pi, Professional Honorary Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Social Fraternity, Young Men's Business Club of Lake Charles, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Community Leaders of America, American Association of Petroleum Landmen, and the Louisiana Association of Independent Producers and Royalty Owners. He was a former trustee for the Boys' Club of Greater Lake Charles and a member of the LSU Foundation and the 1860 Society. Mr. Castle was also a member of the Lake Charles Planning and Zoning Council, Louisiana Expressway Authority, and Natural Resources Study Commission. He took great pride and joy in supporting and helping to develop his Lake Charles and southwest Louisiana community.

Mr. Castle was a loyal fan of Louisiana State University's football program and enjoyed following all of LSU's endeavors.

He is survived by his loving wife of fourteen years, Debra "DJ" Leslie Castle; son Kevin M. Castle of Lake Charles and granddaughter Kacy Abshire and husband Andy of Sulphur; two brothers, two nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by one son, William Graves Castle, III.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Home. Brother Ed Rose of Moss Bluff Bible Church will officiate. Interment will be at Old Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service time.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Association of the South, 715 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 or the Moss Bluff Bible Church, P. O. Box 12555, Lake Charles, LA 70612.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Christus St. Patrick Hospice Group for their devoted and compassionate care and support.