Ray Whatley

Ray Whatley

The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you. Deuteronomy 31:8

Ray Allen Whatley, a distinguished sportsman in fishing and hunting passed away on November 14, 2014. He was a resident of Alexandria, born in Pineville, Louisiana on March 17, 1932. He was a graduate of Bolton High School and attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was an excellent auctioneer and in his younger days participated in many rodeo events.

Mr. Whatley was President of Rapides Packing Company, "Home of the Jolly Chef" in Alexandria and in Lake Charles. He was President of Houston Frosted Foods in Texas until it was sold in 1974. He then formed an insurance brokerage firm specializing in surety, construction, hotel and marine coverages, including Lloyd's of London in 1994.

Mr. Whatley was the youngest member ever appointed to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, serving under Governors Earl K. Long, Jimmy Davis and John McKeithen. He served as Chairman and Vice Chairman and has served longer than anyone to date. As Commissioner, two of his most treasured accomplishments were the purchase of the 60,000 acre Saline Wildlife Management Area in Central Louisiana and the establishment of the Grand Terre Marine Laboratory in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

He was an avid supporter of Ducks Unlimited and was awarded the Conservation Award on two different occasions. He was a founding member of the New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club in the mid-fifties which pioneered big game fishing out of South Pass, focusing national and international attention on Louisiana's gulf fishing. He participated in many Blue Marlin Tournaments and was named Admiral of the Fleet of the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo in 1966.

He is also remembered for his famous Alexandria Pigeon Shoots named "Laissez le bon ton Roulet" "Let the good times roll." His philosophy of life was, "Don't worry, be happy.

Mr. Whatley is preceded in death by his parents Sim B Whatley and Winona Cook Whatley of Alexandria, his brother Stanford B. Whatley, wife Aimee and his sisters, Mildred Brian and her husband W.I. and Ray's twin, Faye Atkins and her husband T.H. "Tommy".

He is survived by June Chauvin Whatley, his wife of 63 years, the love of his life, three children, Karen Whatley England of Baton Rouge, Ray Whatley, Jr. and his wife Martha of St. Francisville and Ricky Whatley of Haughton. He is survived by six grandchildren, Katherine England Kohnke, Sarah England Gamble, and Harry Michael England, Natalie Whatley Atkinson, Caroline Perdue Whatley, and Sim B Whatley, II and seven great grandchildren, Antonia, Gabriel and Simon Atkinson, Cecilia and Vivian Gamble, Micah Kohnke and Mabeline Whatley.

Ray's family warmly thanks Dr. Greg Brian, Dr. Wesley Davis, Dr. W.A. Ardoin, Dr. Tom Meeks, and Thompson's Healthcare for all the love and expert care for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ray Whatley will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2014 in St. Rita Catholic Church, with Rev. Craig Scott officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park, Pineville, under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Friends may call at St. Rita Catholic Church before the service from 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Monday, November 17, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rita Catholic Church at 3822 Bayou Rapides Rd, Alexandria, LA 71303.

To extend online notes of condolence to the Whatley family, please visit us at www.kramerfunerals.com.

With all the beauties of seasons past, look softly with the eyes of love and listen with your heart, your dear one will be there.