Mr. Willis Joseph Dugas Sr.

LOREAUVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mr. Willis Joseph Dugas, Sr., age 81, at 2:00 pm Thursday, September 20, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Buddy Breaux officiating. Interment will be held at All Saints Mausoleum with military honors by VFW Post #3462 and American Legion Post #31.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm on Wednesday with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Thursday until service time.

A native of St. Martinville and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Dugas passed away at 9:50 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012.

Mr. Dugas was a Veteran of the US Marine Corps who served his country honorably and was the recipient of a Purple Heart. He was employed in the oilfield industry for more than 40 years. He was an avid Saints fan, he enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and cutting grass, but most of all spending time with his grandchildren. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy for them and will be missed dearly.

He is survived by his children, Willis Dugas, Jr. and his wife Dewanna of New Iberia; Darleen Vaughn and her husband Lenny of Loreauville; Glenn Dugas and his wife Missy of New Iberia; Carmen Dugas of New Iberia and Kim Dugas and his wife Nikki of St. Martinville; twenty one grandchildren and twenty five great grandchildren; one brother, Kernis Dugas of LaPlace an two sisters, Delta Laperouse of St. Martinville and Eda Barras of New Iberia. He is also survived by JoAnn Thibodeaux Davis and Diane Thibodeaux Carlson who he took into his home as his own children.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Melba Rebert Dugas; his son, Dale Dugas; granddaughter, Gracie Boutte; parents, Madison and Ardeline Dauphine Dugas; two brothers, Adam and R.L. Dugas and two sisters, Rita Theriot and Eve Belaire and Edward Mouton, who he took into his home and raised as his own child.

Pallbearers will be Dru Dugas, Ty Dugas, Lenny Vaughn, Hunter Dugas, Scott Dugas, Todd Dugas and Hutton Daniels.

Dale Dugas, Jr. and Matthew “Matt” Trahan will serve as honorary pallbearers.

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.