Robert Earle Billeaud Sr.

Funeral services will be held at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Robert Earle Billeaud, Sr., 83, who passed away Saturday morning at his home in Lafayette, surrounded by his family. Monsignor Harry E. Benefiel, long-time friend of Bob and Tuttie, will be Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Entombment will take place in St. John Cemetery following the funeral Mass. Bob was born on July 2, 1924 to Cornelius and Georgie Doucet Billeaud. Born and raised in Lafayette, he attended Cathedral High School and Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now UL-L. He proudly served in World War II, fighting in the Pacific Theater with the 43rd Infantry Division for almost three years. He was nearly fatally wounded in action on Luzon. He received the Combat Infantryman Badge, awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy, the Philippine Liberation ribbon and the Purple Heart. At the age of 42, Bob became one of the youngest active presidents of a savings and loan association in the country. Now Home Bank, he was a member of the board of Home Savings and Loan since 1949 and was the Executive Vice President since 1957. He was the President and CEO in 1967 until his retirement in 1993. Bob served on the Investments and Mortgage Lending Committee of the U. S. Savings and Loan League, and was a board member of the Nine State Southwest Savings and Loan League. He was also a director of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and was appointed an Honorary Economic Development Ambassador by the Louisiana Secretary of Commerce. Bob was always active in the community in various organizations. He was a charter member of the City Club of Lafayette, a member of the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, and served on the board of directors of Lafayette Town House and Lafayette General Medical Center. He was also a member of the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, Brigand De Lafitte, the Krewe of Gabriel, and the Lions Club. Bob served the community as a board member of the Lafayette Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service and the Lafayette Airport Commission. He was a director of the American Bank & Trust, Co., the Southern Mortgage Insurance Co., and the Merchants Grocer Co., which was co-owned by his father. Bob and his family donated land to Comeaux High School, Settler's Trace, Martial Avenue and S.J.Montgomery Elementary. Second to his family and friends, Bob's passions laid in the marshes and waters of Louisiana. The avid hunter and fisher took great pleasure in his camp at Cypremort Point, La., entertaining friends and family. He also enjoyed his large cattle ranch and dairy, which he operated for about 50 years, and was a member of the Louisiana Jersey Cattle Club and Ducks Unlimited. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Lucille 'Tuttie' Thomas; his four children, Robert Earle Billeaud, Jr. and his wife, Claire, Thomas George Billeaud and his wife, Janet, Lucille 'Teal' Brauns and her husband, Larry, and Lorraine Broussard and her husband, Scotty; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Thomas, Anne-Marie, Mary Margaret, and Robert Billeaud, Natalie and Ana Brauns, and Lillian and Estelle Broussard; and one great grandchild, Isabel Jo Simon. He is also survived by his brother, Cornelius 'Benny' Billeaud, Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Georgie Billeaud, his grandparents, Martial Billeaud, Jr. and his wife Palmyre Bernard, and George Doucet and his wife Ella Montgomery. Pallbearers will be his sons, Buddy and Tommy, his sons-in-law, Larry and Scotty, and his grandsons, Thomas and Robert. Honorary pallbearers include Benny Billeaud, Fred Thomas, Robert Romero, Jr., Curry Oubre, Haskell Walker, Byron Begneaud, Paul Blanchet, Ted Beaullieu, Bernard Billeaud, Joe Klutts, Jean Breaux, Dick Barra, Paul Beaullieu and David Koke, Jr. The Billeaud family would like to deeply thank Barbara Thomas, Jackie Carlisi and Mona Carriere for their special care and devotion to Bob. The family requests that visiting hours be observed Monday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and continue Tuesday from 8:00 am until the time of services. A rosary will be recited Monday evening at 6:30 pm in the funeral home. In remembrance of Bob, donations may be made to the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70501 Personal condolences may be sent to the Billeaud family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, is in charge of all funeral arrangements.