William J."Mr. Bill"Gallegos

William J. "Bill" Gallegos went to live with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at age 79. He was a little man with a big heart who was loved by all who came in contact with him, even if for a brief moment. Bill was a hard-working man of integrity and keen wit. A longtime resident of Baton Rouge, Bill moved from Venezuela to Baton Rouge with his family in 1942. Lt. Col. Gallegos served with a distinguished career of 20 years in the U.S. Army, where he fought in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, served as a military adviser to the Colombian Army in South America, and was an adviser to the National Guard at the Pentagon and the Louisiana National Guard. While in the U.S. Army, he attended the prestigious Command and General Staff College. While serving in both Korea and Vietnam, he earned the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Aerial Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was awarded the Kentucky Colonel and the Louisiana National Guard Cross of Merit. Bill worked for 30 years for the state of Louisiana in the Department of Urban and Community Affairs and the Department of Education. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Johnson Gallegos. His legacy lives on in four adoring children, Sonya Gallegos Tablada, of Alpharetta, Ga., Teresa Lynn Gallegos, of Baton Rouge, William J. Gallegos Jr., of Lewisville, Texas, and Mark W. Gallegos, of Baton Rouge; a son-in-law, Julian A. Tablada; and daughters-in-law, Sheri Ehrhardt Gallegos and Debbie Devivo Gallegos. "Pops" was dearly loved and will be missed by his eight grandchildren, Jason Tablada, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Michael Tablada, of Auburn, Ala., Ryan Tablada, of Alpharetta, Barrett Gallegos and Colin Gallegos, both of Lewisville, and Raegan Gallegos, Grant Gallegos and Morgan Gallegos, all of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Clara Gallegos, of Baton Rouge; and sister and brother-in-law, Rosario and Bill Wilson, of Ono Island, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosario Acosta Gallegos and Joseph M. Gallegos. His special friends, Damian and Ellen Calato and their children, Dominic, Kerri and Nikki, also loved him as their own father and grandfather. Bill graduated in 1951 from LSU, where he earned a degree in business administration. The family wishes to thank those who have surrounded Mr. Bill and the family with never-ending love and grace, including the Johnson family. A special thanks also goes to the patient and loving caregivers from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Nursing Care Connections (especially Andrea, Bernice, Cinderella, Dee, Dean, Tina and Michelle), and St. Joseph Hospice. Funeral services will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church on Monday, Nov. 5, with visitation from 9 a.m. until eulogy readings at 10 a.m., and funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., followed by military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory should be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 8923 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810.