Walter Floyd Soileau

Walter Floyd Soileau was born in Rosa, Louisiana to Emede and Artile Dupre Soileau, the youngest of 8 siblings: Rita Soileau Scwhartzenberg, Thelma Soileau Payton, Nolan Soileau, Shirley E. Soileau, Irene Soileau Doucet, Allen Soileau, Patricia Soileau Gremillion.

Walter was valedictorian of his high school, then graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette by paying his way with jobs such as refereeing baseball and basketball games. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army from 1959-1961 before meeting the love of his life, Carla. Walter married Carla Guillory August 10, 1963 and they moved to Houston, Texas the same year.

Walter was a devoted and beloved husband to Carla Guillory Soileau, and a loving, doting father to Christopher and Jonathan Soileau. He was a hardworking man that was dedicated to his family and community his entire life. Walter worked in automotive parts sales all his life, started several successful businesses, and continued to work into his 80s. He was also a lifelong devout Catholic, serving nearly 30 years as a sacristan, an acolyte of the faith, and a Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He was one of the founding members of their church, Christ the Redeemer. Despite his many responsibilities and achievements, Walter always made time for his family, his community, and his passions.

Walter was a selfless, generous man that was absolutely loved and adored by all that met him. He loved gardening, and fed half of Houston for years with his bounty. He loved travel, and had been all over the world. He loved music and dancing. He loved gatherings and cooking and feeding everyone he could. He presided over his neighborhood’s annual Thanksgiving turkey fry for over 15 years. He loved spending all the time he could with his two precious grandchildren.

Walter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carla Guillory Soileau, his son Christopher, his son and daughter-in-law Jonathan and Kathleen, and grandchildren Madison and Daniel.

We loved him and will miss him dearly. “What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”—Helen Keller

A wake will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 5:30pm-9pm at Brookside Funeral Home-Cypress, 9149 Hwy 6N, Houston, 77095. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at 10:30 am at Christ the Redeemer, 11507 Huffmeister Rd, Houston, 77065.

In lieu of flowers, please consider purchasing a Mass in Walter’s honor 281-469-5533 and/or donate to https://www.alz.org/texas