Billy Hugh Cates

Shreveport, LA Billy Hugh Cates, age 81, left this earth and met His Savior on December 6, 2015 after a 10 year journey with Parkinson’s Disease. We are sure he is in heaven because at a young age he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. This means his new address is heaven, and he is now able to see Jesus face-to-face. This fact is a huge comfort to his family who remain here on earth.

Visitation with the family will be held from 12 to 1:15 pm on Thursday, December 10 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, with a graveside service to follow at 1:30 pm.

Billy grew up in Converse, LA, graduated from Northwestern State University, and later completed his Masters +57 hours. He began his teaching career in 1958 at Lakeshore Jr. High, where he taught Industrial Arts/Shop. He also taught Electronics at Woodlawn High School and Caddo Career Center, as well as serving as Principal at Caddo Career Center. He finished out his career in education in 1987 as the Director at the Shreveport/Bossier Vo-Tech, and as Regional Director of the 7 surrounding Vo-Tech schools. After his retirement, he spent many years repairing wrecked cars and doing woodworking, making many friends because of these hobbies. There are countless people in the Shreveport area who were the recipients of his talents. He knew how to fix all sorts of things, and helped many people with his skills. He also served at Queensborough Baptist Church and most recently at Broadmoor Baptist Church, where he served in the Broadcast Ministry for 40 years.

He taught his family many life lessons, such as how to fit as many dishes into the dishwasher as possible, to pick up our dog’s “presents” when taking them on a walk, to provide cold drinks for the garbage men, and to look out for others, to name a few. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers from Home Instead and St. Joseph's Home Health & Hospice who assisted with Billy's care.

Remaining here are on earth is his wife of 58 years, Mary Beth Smith Cates; and his 2 children Connie and Ronny (who considered themselves very blessed to have him as their father), and grandchildren Kelsi, Morgan and Tyler. Also remaining are his 2 brothers, Will and George, and their families. His older brother Barlow predeceased him. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to any of the following organizations: www.parkinson.org, www.michaeljfox.org, www.apdaparkinson.org, and the LSUHS Foundation in Shreveport, 920 Pierremont Road, Suite 407, Shreveport, LA 71106, including“Parkinson’s Resource” on the memo line of the check.