Dr. William D. Pelletier

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021, at 11:00 am at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette for Dr. William D. Pelletier, 78, who passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Avanti Senior Living in Lafayette. With regards to the most recent mandates and laws of the current pandemic, masks and social distancing are required for gatherings in the funeral home and cemetery. Visitation will be observed at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette on Sunday, March 14 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and resumes on Monday, March 15 at 9:00 am until the time of service. Entombment with military honors will follow in Fountain Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette. Pastor Jeff Pelletier, of Milestone Church of Keller, TX, will officiate. Dr. William D. Pelletier, affectionately known as "Bill", was born October 29, 1942, in Lake Charles, LA. A long-time resident of Acadiana, Bill grew up in Sulphur, LA, "The Sulphur Mines" as he called it. He graduated from Sulphur High School, Class of 1960, where he played all sports but baseball was his dream. Bill's formal education began with undergraduate studies at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Class of 1964. He then attended Graduate School at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he completed his medical degree and a three-year residency in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Following a period of military service in the United States Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, as a Captain and a flight surgeon, Dr. Pelletier then returned to New Orleans where he specialized in fertility. Settling in Lafayette, Dr. Pelletier partnered with Dr. James L. Zehnder to join the Hamilton Group and later started a private practice. Together, Dr. Pelletier and Dr. Zehnder practiced 41 years until his retirement in 2015. Highly respected in his field, he was a fellow with FACOG, the Fellow American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was published in medical journals in the field. He was the first Chief of Staff at Women and Children's Hospital in Lafayette, served as a board member of the hospital's Foundation and was a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Bill was an active member of The Bayou Church in Lafayette. He was a charter member of Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club in Broussard and former racquetball champion at Red LeRille's Health and Racquet Club in Lafayette. He enjoyed duck hunting and was an avid LSU "Purple and Gold" fan. After retirement, Bill most enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his three dogs, "Brees", his black Lab, "Stanley", his Chihuahua and "Sassy", his Poodle. He also liked to garden and grew tomatoes, cucumbers and jalapeno peppers. Family meant everything to Bill; he leaves a legacy of respect, service and love and will be deeply missed. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Donna Lynn Fanning Pelletier, of Lafayette; his sons Michael David Pelletier and his wife Sheri Toups Pelletier, of Milton, LA, Jeffrey Lewis Pelletier and his wife Ginger Brenham Pelletier, of Trophy Club, TX and Charles Bennett Pelletier and his wife Andrea Melancon Pelletier, of Scott, LA and his two stepchildren, Stephanie Kimbell Maday and her husband John Maday, of Celina, TX and Robert Lynn Kimbell and his wife Kennedy Smith Kimbell, of Mandeville, LA; 12 grandchildren, Erin Robicheaux and her husband Hunter, Michael Pelletier, II, Joshua Maday, Carly McCall and her husband Brian, Jacob Maday, Justin Pelletier, Parker Pelletier, Grant Kimbell, Maegan Pelletier, Holden Pelletier, Rhett Kimbell and Ryan Pelletier, two great-grandchildren, Emily and Luke Robicheaux; numerous dear nieces, nephews, friends and the mother of his children, Judith Allison Avery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Durke Pelletier and Helen Lewis Pelletier and two siblings, brother James Lewis Pelletier and sister Claire Louise Pelletier Tyndall. Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Craig Tyndall, Marc Pelletier, Joshua Maday, Jacob Maday, Justin Pelletier and Parker Pelletier. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Pelletier, II, Grant Kimbell, Holden Pelletier, Rhett Kimbell, Ryan Pelletier, and Dr. James L. Zehnder. The family wishes to thank the staff of Avanti Senior Living at Lafayette and Hospice of Acadiana of Lafayette for the compassionate care given to Bill and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dr. Pelletier's name to Hospice of Acadiana by mail at 2600 Johnston Street, Ste. 2600, Lafayette, LA 70503, by phone at 337-232-1234 or online at www.hospiceacadiana.com. Online obituary and guestbook may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.