Will Ray Billon, age 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, September 14, 2018 at St. Anna’s at Lambeth House after a lengthy battle with the degenerative brain disorder, PSP. Will was born in New Orleans on October 25, 1935 to the late Oscar D. Billon and Vera Smith Billon.
Will grew up in Metairie and attended St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1954 and was the team captain of the 1953 State Championship Football team. He went on to attend Tulane University where he again was a member of the football team and graduated in 1958. In 2006 he was inducted into the Tulane Athletic Hall of Fame. Will was employed by Chevron Oil Company for 35 years. Will loved to work in his garage rebuilding boats, refinishing antique furniture, and was always the one to call if you had a question about how to fix something. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia McWilliams Billon; his daughters, Cynthia Billon Stewart (Greg) and Jeanne Billon Dyess (Brian); his son, Bradley Billon (Anna); grandchildren, Creighton Belt II (Tess), Bonnie Belt McCollough (Matt), Lauren Billon and John Billon, Christian Dyess, Jaime Dyess, and Danny Dyess; his two great-grandchildren, Creighton Belt III and Eva Belt; and his brother, Henri C. Billon. He is preceded in death by his brother, James O. Billon.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at St. Anna’s at Lambeth House for their dedicated support and care for the past few years, and to the staff of Guardian Angels Hospice for their excellent care.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005, on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at noon. Visitation at church will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Ponchatoula Cemetery. Pallbearers will include: Creighton Belt II, Danny Dyess, Brian Dyess, Creighton Belt, Matt McCollough, Greg Stewart and John Billon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Jesuit High School of New Orleans: www.jesuitnola.org/donate or to Tulane University Athletics Department: www.giving.tulane.edu.
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