William "Bill" E. Bumgarner

William Elliott Bumgarner, “Bill,” “Bum,” “Bummer,” a native of Freeport, TX, and nearly lifelong resident of Metairie, LA, entered into eternal life on Sunday, September 7, 2025. He was 76. Son of the late Leo Elliott Bumgarner and Dorothella Wofford. Survived by son Kevin William (Alexandra); grandchildren Lillie Bernadette, Liam Michael and Miles Timothy; sisters Jane Alpha (Granville) and Lois DeSatterlee (Nelson); nephew Granville Alpha Jr; nieces Ann Landry, Meghann Hogan, and Jennifer Finley; and long-time companion Rita Massett. After graduating from New Orleans Academy and the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Bill was first employed by the States-Item newspaper in 1972 to cover prep sports, remaining through the merger with the Times-Picayune in 1980 until his retirement in 2009. He was respected by colleagues and readers alike for his meticulous and diligent coverage of prep sports throughout the greater New Orleans area, earning him induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend services on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA. Visitation begins at 11:00 am followed immediately by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 pm in the chapel and interment in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette or the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame are preferred. To view and sign the guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com