William H. Aitken, Sr. "Bill"

William H. Aitken, Sr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 30, 2021 at the age of 93, to be reunited with his late wife, Gloria Stevens Aitken, of 60 years, 3 months, and 18 days. He was born on Saturday, December 10, 1927 to the late Robert M. Aitken, Sr. and Vita “Ciacciofera” Aitken.

He is survived by his brother, Gerald L. Aitken, Sr. (JoAnn).

He is preceded in death by: his siblings, Robert M. Aitken, Jr. (Mary), Raymond P. Aitken (Gail), Mary Adele Aitken LaRosa (Anthony); and his daughter, Robin Aitken Gatlin.

He is survived by: his three sons, William H. Aitken, Jr. (Barbara), Michael P. Aitken (Robin), James H. Aitken, II; his two daughters, Gerrie Aitken Lillie and Barbara Aitken Lamy (Patrick); his eleven grandchildren, Michael James Lillie (Whitney), Matthew Lillie (Olga), Michael P. Aitken, Jr. (Aimee), James H. Aitken, III (Lauren), Jamie Aitken Dawson (Garrett), Jon Christopher Fletcher, Kate Aitken Colletti (Anthony), Anna Aitken, Maggie Robin Clark (Byron), Charles “Frankie” Gatlin (Catherine), and Ava Marie Gatlin; his fourteen great-grandchildren, and his loving visiting grand dog, KeKe. He will be sadly missed by: his step grandsons, Patrick Lamy, Jr., Sean Lamy (Amelia), and Father Michael Lamy; his godchild, Frank “Francis” LaRosa; a host of nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and Samuel J. Peters High School. He joined the Navy in May of 1944 and proudly served aboard the USS Columbia CL56 (light cruiser) in the Pacific Theater during WWII, until his honorable discharge on April 16, 1946. He joined Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local №. 60 in 1949 as an apprentice and was indentured into the Local Union in 1951. He worked for Schaff Brothers for 38 years and retired as superintendent of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning for the firm. He was active in Mardi Gras for most of his adult life, being a member and past Exalted Ruler of the New Orleans Elks Lodge №. 30 and a past Captain of the Elks Krewe of Orleanians Truck Parade. Mr. Aitken organized the Krewe of Jefferson Truck Parade in 1972 and served as the captain of the organization for 33 years. He was a member of the VFW Post 6640 and a member of American Legion Post №. 175. He was a member of the Good Friends Club for over 35 years and a longtime member of the St. Patrick’s Parade of Jefferson. He was also an avid supporter of the Saints and LSU and a member of the Who Dat Nation.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph Hospice, as well as Kae and Gerren at Omni Healthcare for the wonderful care they provided. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Father Michael Lamy and Shawn Petta for providing their spiritual love and support for Mr. Aitken’s final days and hours.

A visitation will be held at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church at 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, LA 70003 on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 beginning at 10:30 AM with a mass to follow at 1:00 PM officiated by Fr. Michael Lamy. Interment will be held at St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery at 3421 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119.

All are invited to a reception to be held afterwards at The Golden Age Center at Pontiff Playground located at 1521 Palm St, Metairie, LA 70001.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or in support of breast cancer research.