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History & Staff

Our Story

Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.

Williams Funeral Home  in Opelousas, Louisiana has a long and wonderful history of serving our community.  At times of loss, it is natural to turn to people you trust for comfort and support, which is why many of our neighbors turn to us. We have earned the trust of the families throughout Southwest Louisiana and surrounding communities by providing:

  • Caring, compassionate service
  • Choice of dignified funeral services with personalized options
  • Funeral Pre-Planning arrangements
  • Personalized Memorial Services and Funerals

With two convenient locations to serve you, one in Opelousas, Louisiana and one in Ville Platte, Louisiana,  each of our funeral homes offers a complete range of services.

We invite you to come by and tour our facilities or feel free to give us a call. Someone is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Our Staff members of Williams Funeral Home are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors. 

Williams Funeral Home, Inc. began over 80 years ago, in 1932.  It was named Williams Funeral Parlor.  The business was started by M.D.Williams and his wife Bernadine Williams.  M.D. Williams was the stepfather of Bernadine’s only son, Alvin A. Haynes, Sr.

It was during these times that funerals were held in the homes of the families.  In those days, before the funeral home era that we now know today in which a family goes to the funeral home, the funeral director went to the family.  Funeral arrangements were often made in the family's kitchen or at their dining room table.  The wake service was often held in the living room where flowers would be set up and the clergy would come to the home for a prayer service.  On the morning of the funeral, the funeral director and pallbearers carried the casket out of the home and into the hearse to proceed to the church and cemetery.  It was in these beginnings that the foundations of the generational continuity of Williams Funeral Home were laid.

In the early 1940’s, with her compassion to fill the needs of the community considering the existing of many poor families, Bernadine Williams assisted community leaders to establish People’s Burial Society. This accomplishment led to the opening of Williams Industrial Life Insurance Company.  Making headway, they were fortunate to buy Progressive Life Insurance Company, which then became Williams Progressive Life & Accident Insurance Co.  Presently, Williams Progressive Life & Accident, Co. has become the 4th largest African American owed insurance company in the United States. Presently, Alvin A. Haynes, Jr. serves as the chairman of the board of directors.  Also, during this era, they made their son a business partner; in which, Williams Funeral Parlor’s name was proudly changed to Williams & Son.

As their son, Alvin A. Haynes, Sr. matured; he operated the funeral home with his parents until he was drafted in the war to protect and serve our country.  During his active duty in the Army, M. D. Williams passed away; leaving Bernadine Williams to solely run the business.

Anticipating Alvin’s safe return, Bernadine continued to strive forward. She was known for her tender, considerate character and kind heart.   Ms. Williams hired a loyal gentleman, by the name of Willie James Mitchell, who assisted her in offering all-around and reliable services to many families who lost their loved ones and received wide commendations. Alvin returned home safely and persevered in the funeral service industry.

After his return, Alvin A. Haynes, Sr. was joined in holy matrimony with Frances Emerson Haynes. They were blessed with four sons.  Frances work side by side with her husband and her mother-in law to operate the business.  As the funeral home and family grew larger, they decided to change the funeral Home to Williams Funeral Home, Inc. in 1963.

Bernadine Williams passed in 1966.  Sadly, two years later in 1968, Alvin A. Haynes, Sr. died unexpectedly of a heart attack.    From that moment, Frances Haynes and her four sons; Alvin, Jr., Vernon, Gregory, and Karl Ray strived to create services sublimely beautiful. 

Their matriarch Frances E. Haynes died in 2012 and shortly thereafter, her son; Karl Ray Haynes, Sr. succumbed in May of 2013.

Today the legacy continues….Williams Funeral Home, Inc. is still family owned and operated.  Williams Funeral Home, Inc. serves as one of the leading funeral homes in the area.  With a second location in Ville Platte, LA, their commitment to give dignified, thoughtful and personalized service is a tradition that will endure.

Why Us?

In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

Why Us?

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.

Who We Are

Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.Together, we make this place amazing.

Alvin A.  Haynes Jr.

Alvin A. Haynes Jr.

Funeral Director, Owner , CEO
Vernon H. Haynes

Vernon H. Haynes

Funeral Director, Owner
Herd  Guilbeau

Herd Guilbeau

Funeral Director
Joseph  Singleton

Joseph Singleton

Administrative Assistant
Mr. Kevin Brown

Mr. Kevin Brown

Master Mortician
Juan  Joseph

Juan Joseph

Funeral Director, Licensed Pre-Need Agent
Jacqulyn Antoinette Reed

Jacqulyn Antoinette Reed

Co-Manager (Sexton & Director of Sales, Serenity Memorial Park)
Travis  Bush

Travis Bush

Licensed Funeral Director
Chief Martin  McLendon

Chief Martin McLendon

Support Staff (Chief of Police, City of Opelousas)
Quinton  Richard

Quinton Richard

Funeral Director Intern
Edna Lastrapes Richardson

Edna Lastrapes Richardson

Funeral Director- Licensed Master Social Worker
Rev. Carl Sonnier

Rev. Carl Sonnier

Public Relations Manager, Williams Funeral Home of Ville Platte
Alvin A. Haynes III

Alvin A. Haynes III

Licensed Funeral Director
Ms. Hailey Marie Fuselier

Ms. Hailey Marie Fuselier

Support Staff
Larry C. Reed

Larry C. Reed

Funeral Associate/ Removal Agent
Cassandra Thornton Kennerson

Cassandra Thornton Kennerson

Funeral Associate
Karen R. Demouchet

Karen R. Demouchet

Funeral Associate
Kasey Gennuso

Kasey Gennuso

Mrs. Bernadine  Williams

Mrs. Bernadine Williams

Funeral Director, Founder, Owner (In Memoriam)
Mrs. Frances Emmerson Haynes

Mrs. Frances Emmerson Haynes

Funeral Director, Owner (In Memoriam)
Mr. Alvin A. Haynes, Sr.

Mr. Alvin A. Haynes, Sr.

Funeral Director, Owner (In Memoriam)
Mr. Karl Raymond Haynes, Sr.

Mr. Karl Raymond Haynes, Sr.

Owner, (In Memoriam)
Gregory G.  Haynes

Gregory G. Haynes

Mortician, Owner (In Memoriam)
Mr. Albert A. Avilla, Sr.

Mr. Albert A. Avilla, Sr.

Funeral Associate/ First Call Agent
Mr. Nigel Andris Poole

Mr. Nigel Andris Poole

Funeral Director Apprentice

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