A graveside service for Willie James Lewis was held on March 14 at Marthaville, Cemetery. A visitation was held on March 13 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many. Officiating the service was Brother Daniel Goodman.
Willie James Lewis was born on June 24, 1943 in Marthaville, Louisiana to Willie “Buster” Lewis and Earline Crain. He was a 1961 graduate of Marthaville High School. After graduating, he entered the field of construction where he worked in many different places spanning across 20 years. In April of 1963 he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Shoebroek. They were married for 56 years when she passed away in April of 2020. Over the years, they raised four kids together and welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many years, they drove an 18-wheeler all over the country before retiring. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing dominoes, spending time with family and making people laugh. He was a Mason for 60+ years and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 45 years.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Earline Lewis; wife, Mary Lou Lewis; younger brother, Roy Lewis; son, Dewayne Lewis; and great-grandson, Asher Wade. Left to cherish his memory are his brothers, Robert Lewis (Kathy) of Lockhart, Texas and Raymond Lewis (Sharon) of Winsboro, Louisiana; children, Kevin Lewis of Wimberly, Texas, Karen Mitchell (Willie) of Robeline, Louisiana, Brenda Wade (Craig) of Natchitoches, Louisiana; grandchildren, Henry Lewis of Denver, Colorado, Austin Lewis of Wimberly, Texas, Miranda Lewis of Wimberly, Texas, Sarah Lewis of Robeline, Louisiana, Richard Lewis of Texarkana, Texas, Nic Lewis (Ashley) of Robeline, Louisiana, James Wade of Las Vegas, Nevada, Ann Wade (Ellen) of Natchitoches, Brandi Carter (Peyton) of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Chris Lewis (Alicia) of Robeline, Louisiana, Jonathan Lewis (Adna) of Dallas, Texas, and Breyannie Zentz (Auston) of Monmouth, Oregon; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Honoring Willie as pallbearers were Peyton Carter, Chris Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, Nic Lewis, Richard Lewis, and Ann Wade. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Noah Grantham, Austin Lewis, Henry Lewis, Kevin Lewis, Raymond Lewis, Robert Lewis, Willie Mitchell, and Craig Wade.
The family would like to include a special thanks to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center ICU staff, Natchitoches Community Care and Rehab, and LSU ICU staff.