Funeral services for William “Bill” Lewis Decell were held Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson with burial in Ibert’s Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers were Daniel Decell, Michael Decell, Jerry Adams, Brad Adams, Cade Thibodaux, Kyle Buese and Hunter Harrington. Monsignor J. Douglas Courville, JCL, pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick, Louisiana, will officiate the services. Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia St., Patterson, Louisiana was in charge of arrangements.

Visitation was Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at Ibert’s from 8:30 a.m. until time of services.

Mr. Decell, 88, died on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015. He was born on May 30, 1927, in Brookhaven.

He joined his beloved wife, Edwanna, in heaven.

Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps and was honorably discharged in 1947. He married the love of his life, Edwanna Schwem, and began his lifelong career with Chevron Oil Company eventually leading him to New Orleans where he raised his family. After his retirement and later evacuation from Hurricane Katrina, his love for family brought him and his wife to Patterson to be near his daughter. At the time of his death he was a resident at Maison Jardin in Morgan City. In addition to being a devout Catholic, he also enjoyed being a member of many organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus, AARP and Chevron Retirees.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edwanna Schwem Decell; his parents, George Morten Decell Jr. and Edith Guess Decell; his sister, Eleanor Decell; and one grandson, Joseph Decell.

Survivors are his three daughters, Debbie Adams and her husband, Jerry, of Patterson, Sue Buese and her husband, Mark, of Rosemary Beach, Florida and Lisa Kilcrease and her husband, Steve, of The Woodlands, Texas; two sons, Daniel Decell and his wife, Sherry, of Peachtree City, Georgia and Michael Decell and his wife, Melissa, of Long Beach; one brother, George M. Decell III and his wife, Christina, of Dallas, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude for the care he received from Dr. Natalie Dishman, Journey Hospice, his caregiver, Barbara Toups, Maison Jardin, and Teche Regional Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in Mr. Bill’s name to the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Foundation (made payable to WWA & CSF), PO Box 38, Patterson, LA 70392.

Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.