Willie Lazare Sr

Mr. Willie Lazare, Sr. LEONVILLE- Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 29, 2014 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Leonville, LA for Mr. Willie Lazare, Sr., 90, who entered eternal rest on Saturday, November 22, 2014 surrounded by his family at his residence in Leonville. Interment will be in St. Leo the Great Catholic Church Cemetery. Father Ken Domingue will conduct the Mass of Christian burial. Willie was born to Sanders Lazare, and Francis Marcel Lazare of Leonville, LA on November 25, 1923. Due to the early death of his father he served as a father figure to his two brothers and two sisters. He later joined the military and was a veteran of World War II. Willie married Verdna Mae Auzenne on December 26, 1954 where they shared almost 60 years together. To this union 13 children were born. He attended vocational school and obtained a certificate in Farm Mechanics which covered welding, carpentry and mechanics. He was known as a “jack-of-all trades” and was a trusted mechanic to family and friends in the community. He worked as a heavy equipment technician for several construction companies in the Baton Rouge area for over 30 years. To relax, he enjoyed hunting and Sunday evening card games with family and friends. He was an active member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver Council #46 and a lifelong member of St. Katherine’s Catholic Church. Willie Lazare, Sr. is survived by his wife, Verdna Mae Auzenne Lazare of Leonville, LA; six sons, Kerry James (Julianna) Lazare and Benedict Lazare of Baton Rouge, LA; Anthony (Margaret) Lazare of Plano, TX; Dave William (Michelle) Lazare of Chicago, IL; Joseph Harold (Sandra) Lazare and Willie (Christie) Lazare, Jr. of Leonville, LA; five daughters, Deborah Ann (Amos) Johnson, Jr; Mary Verna (Stephen) Jackson; and Vanessa Ann (John) Miles, Sr. of Leonville, LA; Delores Lazare (Selwyn) White and Angela Lazare Alex of Atlanta, GA; two sisters, Marie Mathilda “Martha” Charles and Sister Henrietta “Helen” Lazare of New Orleans, LA; in-laws, Israel (Wilda) Auzenne, Howard Auzenne, Benjamin (Helen) Auzenne, Julia Lazard, Sister Mary Benjamin “Eva” Auzenne, Bertha Lazare, Mathilda Auzenne, and Ella Mae Auzenne, 24 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Marcel Lazare and Sanders Lazare; two sons, Andrew Lazare and John Christopher Lazare; two brothers, Preston Lazare and Carlton Lazare; one daughter-in-law, Debra Gloston Lazare; one grandchild, Willie Lazare, III; a special uncle, Benoit Marcel; three aunts, Clara Lazare, Mable Keys, and Louise Roberts; one sister-in-law, Bertha Auzenne; five brothers in law, Vincent Auzenne, Henry Auzenne, Charles Auzenne, Marshall Lazard, and Joseph Antoine Charles. Visiting hours will be observed from 7:00 am until the time of service on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Leonville, LA. The rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m. Share words of comfort with the Lazare family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037.

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Willie Lazare Sr

November 25, 1923 - November 22, 2014