William Lee LaFont Jr.

A funeral Mass for Dr. Bill LaFont, age 80 of Jackson, will be held on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jackson. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Dr. LaFont was born on December 27, 1931 in New Madrid, MO to the late William Lee LaFont, Sr. and Selma Sharp LaFont. In 1940, he moved to Union City, TN where he graduated from Union City High School in 1949. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Tennessee at Martin and went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee Dental School, and obtained his DDS degree in 1954. After graduation, Dr. LaFont served in the US Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1956 as Captain.

He married Judy Caldwell, his High School sweetheart in 1954 and in 1957, began his 42 year dental practice in Jackson, TN. He was a member of the 7th District Dental Society where he served as both secretary and president. He was also a member of the TN Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He was a delegate to the ADA for 12 years. He was chairman of the 6th District Dental Caucus, Chairman of the ADA Reference Committee at the National meeting, Fellow of the American College of Dentists and International College of dentists, Fellow of Academy of General Practice, and member of American Society of Preventative Dentistry where he presided as the TN president. He retired from his practice in the fall of 1996.

He joined the Knights of Columbus Counsel #1101 in December of 1956. He obtained Grand Knight in 1959, State Warden in 1961, associate representative in 1962 and was elected State deputy in 1965, serving two years and joined fourth degree in 1960. He was a devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, President of Parish counsel, Chairman of New Church Building Committee, co-chairman of "Building His Kingdom" fundraising campaign, and was on the committee of faith and future building campaign. Dr. LaFont was ordained as a permanent Deacon in March of 2000, where he served in many areas, including teaching scripture for 15 years, ministering to the sick, counseling marriage preparation, annulments, and RCIA. He was extremely active in the Haiti ministry serving as a dentist on 15 mission trips.

He served three years on the Board of Directors for RIFA and Religious Education Advisory board of the diocese of Memphis, and was a former member on the Board of Development for the diocese of Memphis. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Jackson Jaycee's.

He was also a hobbyist who loved music and played the drums for a dance band. He was an avid reader and so enjoyed bicycling, having ridden thousands of miles, that he served as past president of the Jackson Bicycle Club.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy LaFont; two daughters, Teresa LaFont Rolleri (Jim) of Collierville, TN, Mary LaFont Mount (Chuck) of Pensacola, FL; three sons, William Lee LaFont III (Angie) of Jackson, Christopher Thomas LaFont (Bambi) of Nesbitt, MS, Donald LaFont (Amy) of Jackson; one sister, Jayne Sterling (Tommy) of Pittsburgh, PA; one brother, Dr. Don S. LaFont (Joyce) of Jackson; 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

A visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Rosary beginning at 8 p.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Marys Ministry or RIFA.

George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel, (731) 427-5555.