William Chambliss

William "Josh" Chambliss

OPELOUSAS - Funeral services will be held for William "Josh" Chambliss at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, in the First Baptist Church of Opelousas. Dr. Perry Hubbs will conduct the service. Burial will be held in the Bellevue Memorial Park Cemetery in Opelousas.

Mr. Chambliss, age 80, a resident of Opelousas, La., died on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at Opelousas General Health System.

Josh was a retired deacon and greeter as well as a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Opelousas. He was also a charter member of the First Baptist Church of Tehran, Iran. His work took him around the world with his family. He also participated in various sporting and youth activities with his sons. He coached baseball, basketball and football teams that his children were involved in. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.

Survivors are his wife of 56 years, Shirley Hooks Chambliss, of Opelousas, La.: his sons, Stephen William Chambliss and wife, Karen, of Church Point, La.; Kevin Scott Chambliss and wife, Lisa, of Corrigan, Texas; Stanley David Chambliss of South Africa; Stuart Alan Chambliss and wife, Susan, of Denham Springs, La.; his brothers, Thomas Earl Chambliss, Charles Chambliss, Lamar Chambliss, Rodney Chambliss and his sisters, Betty Jean Welch and Martha Ann Chambliss. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Jared William Chambliss, Erica Laigh Chambliss, Christopher William Chambliss, Heather Faye Chambliss, Lloyd Kocurek, Holly Hubert, Sable Kocurek and 5 great-grandchildren, Evangeline Grace Chambliss, Madelynn Chambliss, Kylie Kocurek, Alex Kocurek and Kolton Kocurek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Mattie Lee Fears Chambliss; his brothers, Zed Chambliss, Jack Chambliss, James Chambliss and his sisters, Dorothy Bland, Virginia Parish and Florence Green.

Visiting hours will begin at the LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will reopen on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, (2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, La. 70570, (942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.