Bill Bertrand, Sr.

Billy Lee “Bill” Bertrand, Sr., 77, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully in his home in Sulphur, Louisiana, on September 19, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Bill’s life was a testament to resilience, love, and creativity.

Born in Cameron, Louisiana, on January 10, 1948, Bill was the son of LeRoy Bertrand and Helen (Lyons) Bertrand, both of whom, along his younger brother Terrance, preceded him in death. He is survived by two sons – Billy Bertrand (wife Christine) and Charles Bertrand (wife Michelle). He also leaves behind three sisters – Shelia Domingue (husband David) of Carlyss, Katie Ravia (husband Roy) of Sulphur, and Darlene Lackey of Sour Lake, Texas. Beyond his immediate family, he leaves behind four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and a multitude of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Known for his quiet and unobtrusive nature, Bill spent his early adult years working in the oil field then later worked as an ironworker in local industrial plants, where he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues through his hard work ethic and commitment to arriving first at the beginning of the day, working faster than anyone else, then beating every other worker to the gate at quitting time.

Bill was not one to waste daylight. In his earlier years, he found joy in dragging his sons out of bed before daybreak to enjoy the beauty of nature. He dragged them off to go arrowhead digging. He dragged them off to go fishing, both saltwater and freshwater. In his later years, he rose early to burn miles on the treadmill and lift weights before going to drink coffee with Katie and Roy.

Bill was also an artist who excelled in a variety of artistic endeavors over the years, including painting nature scenes, carving wood and other mediums into beautiful rustic jewelry and trinkets, and creating exquisite knives adorned with beautifully carved handles.

Visitation with the family will be open on Sunday, September 21, 2025, beginning at 5:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home of Sulphur, LA. His funeral service will be held on September 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the same location. Burial will follow at Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly.