William "Bill" Devlin

On Friday, May 30, 2025, William "Bill" Devlin, age 59 of Pearl River, LA passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home. Bill was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office after 30 years of dedicated service to protecting his city. During his exemplary career with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, Bill Devlin was a dedicated member of the search and rescue diving team, working closely with the New Orleans Police Department. He also served actively in the motorcycle division, contributing his skills and commitment to the community with pride. He was recognized and decorated for his conspicuous bravery during the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He stood his post as the hurricane headed directly for the city and the levees broke, and then worked around the clock using a small boat to find and evacuate stranded victims of the flood to safety. Even after collapsing from heat stroke, dehydration, and exhaustion, he refused evacuation – choosing instead to take intravenous fluids so that he could continue his rescue mission over multiple days and nights until relieved by military troops.
He was a kind and honest man dedicated to the Catholic faith. Many knew him as a gentle giant with a heart of gold. He was a man who gave freely helping many in their time of need. of his many acts of kindness, he was most know for feeding the homeless durning Thanksgiving and Christmas. He had many passions in life, however he loved his collection of salt and pepper shakers, and his unique cookie jars, which he loved sharing with the community including his friends at Miley Med. Some of these cookie jars can still be seen on display there to this day. His bright light will be missed tremendously by all who knew him. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter and light of his life Kathrine Devlin, his siblings John Sterling Devlin, III (wife Laura), Elisabeth Devlin Ziegler, and Michael Richard Devlin (wife Julie), his nieces and nephews; Madeleine, Zachary, Hailie, Dane, Caroline, Carlie, Slade, Jack, IV, and Matthew, and his cat Star, his constant companion for the last nine years. He is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord and was greeted with the biggest smile in Heaven by his parents Irmgard and John Devlin, Jr. Inurnment for Bill will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of Bill Devlin or donations can be made to the Devlin Scholarship. Contributions can be made online at https://giving.bloomu.edu/donate/john-devlin-scholarship "
He will be missed and remembered fondly by all who knew him. Well done, be thou at peace.
"Your cause of sorrow must not be measured by his worth, for then it hath no end."

Williams Funeral Home, Pearl River, LA in charge of arrangements.