Haughton, LA- Services celebrating the life of David Nolan "Billy" Oakes, Sr., 88 will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel with Brother Scott Teutsch officiating. Interment with military honors will immediately follow. The family will be receiving friends on Friday, August 17, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
David was born October 11, 1929 and died on August 3, 2018 in West Monroe, LA. Born and raised in Greenville, MS., he was the son of John Wesley and Rosia Jane Cole Oakes. The last surviving member of 11 brothers and sisters. He attended Greenville Public Schools and spent his youth playing lots of football, softball and boxing with his brothers. Often boxing in the Delta Golden Gloves with his brothers, James and Pat, they won several tournaments that put "The Three Oakes" in the local paper. He enlisted in the military after graduation and sacrificed 30 plus years for his country in the U.S. Air Force. Specializing in the field of Explosive Ordnance Disposal, he often joked that "he has all his fingers and toes." He served many tours overseas including two in Vietnam during years 1963 & 1964, one of which he received the Bronze Star, and one tour in Korea 1975-76. David retired as a SMSgt in 1979 at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA. After which he continued his profession working at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant in Camp Minden and BAFB as a Safety Occupational Health Specialist.
David and his loving wife Sue of 42 years were married in 1954 and were able to share many wonderful memories while raising three children together before her passing in 1997. David was a member of Eastwood Baptist Church, he enjoyed his Sunday School Class and hosted several “Hamburger Socials” at his home. He had also been a member of the Toastmasters International, a worldwide organization promoting communication, public speaking and leadership skills. David was quite a character, maybe it was at this time he coined the phrase "Mother Goose”; often using this when joking about himself and others, or even as a term of endearment. Seeking more adventure, he enrolled in the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Posse program. You could tell he liked being back in uniform, even if only a few days a month. One thing was always constant with him; he was never alone and always willing to lend a helping hand near or far. Having a love for animals, he let his cat Rocky be the boss at home and could often be heard blowing a whistle in the evenings for him to come home. If you knew David, you knew that he loved spending time grooming his yard and picking tomatoes from his large garden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jimmie Sue Smith Oakes, and son, Tracy Shane Oakes.
Left to cherish his memory are son David Oakes Jr. and wife Karen of Moringsport, LA, daughter Cynthia DeSoto and husband Dayton of West Monroe, LA, daughter-in-law Deborah Oakes of Shreveport, grandchildren Alyssa Laski and husband Jason, Lydia Prothro and husband Drew, Shelby DeSoto, Daniel England and wife Stacey, Steven Thomason, three great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you make donations to the Alzheimer's Association or your local Animal Shelter.
