Dr. William (Bill) Charles Blakely

Bill was a Methodist Minister as were his father and grandfather. He served almost 40 years in the Louisiana Methodist Conference.

Bill was born in Social Hill, Arkansas on October 19, 1934 to Rev. G.E. Blakely and Faye Blackstock Blakely. His early education was in Arkansas. He graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport and S.M.U. school of Theology in Dallas. Later he received an honorary Doctorate from Centenary.

Soon after graduating from S.M.U. he married Marilyn Jackson of Texas and the family was blessed with two little girls, Carolyn and Charlotte. Sadly, Marilyn was to live only 4 more years. On her death bed she whispered that her nurse would make a good mother for their daughters. In early 1963, Bro. Bill married Bettie Ruth Durrett and the family was complete with the births of Christopher Brent and David Benjamin.

This servant of God poured out his life in sacrificed service, love, and duty. He served churches throughout the state from Golden Meadow-Grand Isle to Baton Rouge, from N.O. to Monroe, from Lafayette to Shreveport and all the others. He was appointed District Superintendent of N.O.-Houma District 1980-1986 and was elected Dean of the Cabinet. The Bishop once called him the “Fix it” preacher, meaning if a church was not flourishing both spiritually and in membership, his gifts were needed.

Bill received many honors and positions throughout his life, but he preferred not to speak of them. He always said he was just a simple country boy from Social Hill. His greatest joy was God’s work and family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Charlotte Faye Blakely Evans. He is survived by his wife, Bettie; daughter, Carolyn Wells (Byron); sons, Christopher (Toni) and Benjamin (Laura); grandchildren, Margo, Blake, Marilyn, Logan, and Tom; great-grandchildren, Austin, Avery, Charlotte, Vivian, Walker, and Seven.

“Miss Bettie” sums up Bill this way: He was a great human being; a man of great love of God, great faith, a great love of family and friends, a man of great integrity, great work ethic, great sense of humor, great vision and wisdom, and a great heart filled with justice, compassion, mercy, and love. Truly, he was a Man of God.

A funeral service honoring the life of Bill will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA 71118 at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025. Interment will be held at Ponchatoula Cemetery in Ponchatoula, LA beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.. Honorary pallbearers will be LA Methodist Clergy.