Willie James Alford

"The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown." -Zechariah 9:16-17 After a life filled with children and grandchildren, shared alongside his high school sweetheart, Willie James Alford of Port Allen died on October 11, 2014, the day before his 68th birthday. Growing up in a home with three brothers, he was nourished by his father's passion for the outdoors and a mother's love. He attended Port Allen Middle School and Port Allen High School, serving as senior class president in 1965. Following trade school and work as a machinist, he started out as a salesman at Industrial Parts Specialties and developed a career spanning 30 years that culminated in his position as vice president. Public service was a part of his young adulthood and later life, serving on boards for the City of Port Allen and Holy Family Parish. But he may have touched more lives with a whistle as a volunteer community basketball coach for the Knights of Columbus. His faith was ever on the forefront and he was a proud man of Manresa, the Jesuit house of retreats in Convent. While his residence was in south Louisiana, his heart was always in the mountains of Tennessee, where an annual Thanksgiving pilgrimage became a family tradition. While he never had enough time to dedicate to fishing or vintage cars, his family more than benefitted from the hours and days they received instead. Quick with a joke and a smile, his caring nature failed to allow him to take more than he gave. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dora Dupuy Alford; daughter Jennifer Alford LeJeune and husband Ron; son Jason Alford and wife Chanda; son Jeremy Alford and wife Karron; brother Ivy Alford Jr. and wife Kitty; and brother Terry Alford and wife Sue. He was also survived by grandchildren Jace LeJeune, Josh LeJeune, Cody Alford, Jamie LeJeune, Kristyn Alford, Zoe Alford and Keaton Alford; and mother-in-law Faye Fornea Dupuy. He was preceded in death by his parents Ivy Alford Sr. and Mary Alice; brother J.D. Alford; son Joshua Alford; and daughter Jamie Alford. Pallbearers will be his grandsons along with Donald Alford, Ken Alford, Michael Broussard, Andy Credeur, Will Ganley and Michael Marix. A wake will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Wilbert Funeral Home in Port Allen. A closed-door rosary will commence at 5 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Brusly, with viewing beginning at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged for the Jubilee Campaign at Holy Family Church, P.O. Box 290, Port Allen, LA 70767. Please share sympathies and condolences at www.wilbertservices.com.