William Percy Sutton

William Percy Sutton, 90, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at his daughter’s residence in Pineville, LA.

Mr. Sutton was born August 2, 1930 in Loxley, AL.  Bill was the oldest of eleven children.  He was a wonderful son and brother, a loving husband, son-in-law, father and grandfather, a loyal friend and coworker.  His family was important to him.  He made sure to keep in touch with his family – visiting, calling, and writing letters.  He graduated from Robertsdale High School in Robertsdale, AL, in 1950.  He served his country in the U.S. Air Force form 1946 - 1949 and again from 1950 – 1951.  After his discharge from the Air Force, he worked for the telephone company, putting up poles and running lines in Louisiana.  This is how he met his wife, Phyllis Eloise Hatsfelt, in Oakdale, LA.  They were married on November 16, 1952 and were married for sixty-eight years, until her recent death in November 2020. 

Bill was an avid reader, having learned to read at an early age, and he particularly loved to read westerns.  He played football, basketball and baseball in high school and played on the Air Force baseball team.  He loved sports and continued to play softball as an adult on Trinity Baptist’s men’s softball team.  He also liked watching sports.  He was a McNeese fan and an Alabama Crimson Tide fan.  He and Phyllis loved to attend any event to watch their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whether it was a concert, a recital, or a ball game.  They loved their family and were so proud of all of them.  He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening.

Mr. Sutton was a hard worker.  He worked at Conoco Refinery in Westlake, LA for 36 years, wearing the nickname “Bama” on his coveralls.  After his retirement, he worked part-time at United Way for twenty years.  He also held many part-time jobs through the years - officiating high school sports and he was a substitute school bus driver.  It is no surprise that he taught his children a strong work ethic.

Bill had a green thumb.  He had a large garden as well as growing fruit trees, rose bushes, and many other flowering plants.  He gave away his extra produce to friends, family and associates.  Bill and Phyllis enjoyed baking homemade rolls (from her grandmother’s recipe) and sharing them with others.  He and Phyllis were active members of Trinity Baptist Church, their Sunday School and the JOY group and choir, they enjoyed the fellowship and serving others.  He served in children and youth departments as well as helping in Vacation Bible School for many, many years.

Bill was full of life, always smiling.  He never met a stranger.  He was a strong and positive influence on his children and grandchildren.  He was loved and admired by family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Sutton is survived by his daughters, Lwana Pitman (Mark) of Lake Charles, Karen Sutton-Giroir of Tioga, LA, and Lori Berwick of Lake Charles, LA; sisters, Mary Kegley of Mobile, AL, Wanda Miller of Long Beach, MS, Tonia Santucci of Contonment, FL, Pam Wheeler (Charles) of Silverhill, AL; brothers, Danna Sutton (Lisette) of Metairie, LA and Claudius Sutton (AnnaBelle) of Silver Creek, MS; grandchildren, Jeff Pitman of Lake Charles, Amy (Nick) Langley of Lake Charles, Breean (Ben) Smith of Vacaville, CA, Randi (Cody) Leblanc of Lake Charles, Kelli (John) Pitre of San Antonio, TX, Valarie (Dillon) Ford of Nederland, TX, Jonathan Giroir of Tioga, LA, and Scott Berwick of Lake Charles; great-grandchildren, Allie, Jacob and Jack Pitman, Taylor, Cameron, Payton, Baylee and Graham Langley, Kiley and Cora Leblanc, and Christian Ford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy Augustine Sutton and Mary Odessa Huggins Sutton; his wife of sixty-eight years, Phyllis Hatsfelt Sutton; infant daughter, Amy Denise Sutton; sisters, Joy Spray and Gay Ambrosi; brothers, Terry Sutton and Pat Sutton.

His funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Trinity Baptist Church – North Venue.  Reverend Darin Worthington will officiate.  Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Way of Southwest Louisiana at www.unitedwayswla.org or to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 4196, Monroe, LA 71211.