Princeton, LA
M/Sgt. Ralph R. Piper, U. S. Army retired, answered his final reveille April 13, 2011 at the War Veterans Home in Bossier City, Louisiana. He was a resident of Princeton, Louisiana, having formerly lived in Shreveport and Bossier City. M/Sgt Piper retired from the U.S. Army in 1965 after over twenty years of service. He served in World War II in Europe, two tours of duty in Korea and concluded his service in Viet Nam. He also had tours of duty in Germany during the construction of the Berlin Wall, as well as France, Okinawa, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, Ft. Polk, Louisiana, and as an Army recruiter in Shreveport. During his Viet Nam service he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for heroism, by General William Westmoreland. Sgt. Piper’s years of meritorious service included infantry, as a D.I. and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Following his retirement from active duty, Mr. Piper worked for many years in north Louisiana building some of our area’s most iconic structures including Interstate 20, the General Motors Plant, and The Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant at Minden. Many years were spent working for T.L James Construction Company. His former workers remember him as a dedicated, fair and professional foreman.
Ralph Raymond Piper was a native of Wilmar, Arkansas, having been born to Edgar and Nellie Clemmons Piper on November 23,1925. Prior to joining the U.S. Army during the Second World War he spent his early years in Arkansas where he met and married the love of his life, Billie Dean Kulbeth. They were married July 28, 1949, and remained devoted to one another for 61 years. Their marriage produced three sons.
Sgt. Piper is survived by his faithful wife Billie, a devoted mother, an Army wife and a great lady. He was the proud father of three sons, Don Piper, and wife Eva Pentecost Piper of Pasadena ,Texas; Alan Piper of Doyline, Louisiana; and Steve Piper of Princeton, Louisiana. He deeply loved his grandchildren, Nicole Piper Flenniken and husband Scott of Pasadena, Texas; Christopher Piper of Houston, Texas; Joe Piper of Deer Park, Texas; Nicholas Piper of Princeton, Louisiana, and Joshua Piper or Princeton, Louisiana. And he was thrilled to be the great-grandfather of Carlee Flenniken and Will Flenniken, both of Pasadena, Texas. He is also survived by his sisters, Louise Kirby of Palestine, Texas, and Jean Pace and her husband James, of Houston, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors. He will deeply missed by them all.
Full military honors will be accorded to M/Sgt. Piper at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton at 3:00 PM, with Rev. Don Piper officiating, assisted by Chris Piper. Visitation will precede the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow in the Veterans section at Hill Crest Memorial Park.
M/Sgt. Piper will be remembered as one of the hardest working men those who knew him have ever known. He led by example. He was a loving husband, a firm and faithful father, and a devoted grandfather. For the country for which he nearly gave his life on several occasions, he will always be remembered as a great patriot. He and men and women like him who gave all in the defense of freedom, are the reason we remain free. May their sacrifice never be forgotten and their legacies long endure.
At ease, Sgt. Piper.
In the distance…Taps are sounding…
“Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the hills,
From the lake,
From the skies,
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.”
You may share your memories with the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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