William V. J. Renaudin, Jr. (Rabbit), of Metairie, Louisiana, born on June 11, 1936, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at home after an admirable battle with congestive heart failure. He was preceded in death by his wonderful and loving parents, William V. J. Renaudin, Sr. and Euxenia (Cenie), and also by his youngest son, Daniel Burdin Renaudin.
Rabbit attended St. Anthony Grammar School, and went on to graduate from Jesuit High School in 1954, where he lettered in football, basketball and track, and was most proud of being a member of the 1954 State Championship Football team. He graduated from Tulane University in 1959 with a B. A. degree, received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in 1963, and practiced Civil Law in New Orleans until his retirement.
Rabbit was an avid sports fan which led him to coach football at Metairie (now Wally Pontiff, Jr.) Playground. He coached his young sons, and was most proud of his “Amazing 16”, where his 16 young men went undefeated and won the Jefferson Parish Championship in 1979. Rabbit loved his family and friends and was happiest when entertaining all as a guest singer for several local jazz bands. He had a gift in bringing life to every party he attended.
William is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Burdin of Lafayette, Louisiana; his daughter, Debra Kehoe and her husband, Roth Kehoe; his son, William V. J. Renaudin, III and his fiancé Mary Turpin; and by his much loved granddaughters, Dr. Kaitlin Kehoe, Meghan Kehoe, Laine Kehoe, and Colleen Kehoe. The family thanks Nicole Bradford, for her irreplaceable loving care as well as Heart of Hospice during his illness.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 2:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 12:00PM. Interment will follow the Funeral Mass in Metairie Cemetery.
Donations preferred to Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St., New Orleans, LA. 70119 or to Sister Servants of Mary, 5001 Perlita St., New Orleans, LA. 70122.
To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
