William Alden "Bill" Settoon

William Alden Settoon Jr., also known as Bill, Uncle Bill, Uggo Bill, Mr. Margaret Orr, Dad, and most importantly, Papa, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He was 75.

Bill was born in Franklinton, LA, on October 6, 1949, to William and Grace Settoon. He grew up in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans and got a taste for travel and adventure at a young age as his father worked abroad in Jamaica and Ghana.

Bill graduated from Sewanee Military Academy in 1967, Louisiana State University in 1971, and Tulane University in 1974. Bill's early career took him to Colombia, Calgary, and Houston where he soaked up the local cultures before returning to New Orleans. Bill's younger years were filled with memorable experiences. He was proudly present at The Warehouse to see The Grateful Dead the night after they were busted down on Bourbon Street, having to leave an event to catch the historical show in his tuxedo.

Bill married his loving wife Margaret on November 12, 1983. They moved to Lake Vista and were proud to reside in the neighborhood for 40+ years. Bill believed Lake Vista was the best place to raise a family, and that is what he did, welcoming three children: Kathleen, Alden, and Grace.

Educated as a chemical engineer, Bill had a long career spanning oil and gas, waste management, and culminating in the medical marijuana industry through partnership with the LSU-AgCenter. He was active at St. Paul's Episcopal School and Church, and was a member of the Southern Yacht Club, where he spent many summers cheering his kids on at swim meets. Years later, he could be spotted layering Jesuit and Sacred Heart hats to show support for his children at both schools. Bill ensured all the children in his life were readers by introducing them to the library and reading with them. Bill had a longstanding policy where he gifted one Jazz Fest ticket per year for each of his children, to ensure they were appropriately cultured.

Bill's civic leadership included two terms as a board member of the New Orleans Public Library, where he worked with the City of New Orleans and FEMA to bring libraries back post-Katrina and was instrumental in the construction of five new branches. He served on the Lake Vista Crime Prevention District as Commissioner and Treasurer. More recently, Bill was appointed to the Flood Protection Authority-Board where he served from 2022 to 2025, from which he and other board members honorably resigned in protest as they believed the agency was no longer focused on flood protection.

Bill's warmth, intelligence, loyalty, sense of humor and storytelling made him a true friend to many people of all ages. He was quick to lend a helping hand, extend kindness, and laugh easily and contagiously. He was a big personality who shared of himself generously.

Bill may have been larger than life, but his selflessness is what defined him. His family was his pride and joy. He was happy to be "Mr. Margaret Orr" supporting his wife's high-profile career. He cherished his role as uncle to his nephew Thomas and became known as "Uncle Bill" to many. (This was later adapted to "Uggo Bill" by his great-niece and great-nephew.)

After Katrina, Bill returned to Lake Vista early, and served as the neighborhood messenger and boss, helping neighbors in the heat by turning off their water and gas connections to avoid additional disaster. When his daughter needed cancer treatment out of state requiring months of isolation, Bill served as her primary caregiver, seeing her through to 14 years of remission, to date.

At the time of his passing, Bill went mostly by "Papa." Papa was enjoying retirement with his wife and family, which included an active role in grandchildren's lives, trying to train Skye the puppy with his wife, searching for the best soft-shell crab po-boy in New Orleans with the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), and starting a chess club with his grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Settoon, sisters, Claire Miller and Jane McEachin, niece Sarah McEachin Lopez, his soul dog Bleu, and many dear friends. He is survived by his wife Margaret, children Kathleen, Alden (Brittany), and Grace, his three grandchildren, Anders, Suzie, and Emery Settoon, Nephew Thomas McEachin (Kerry), great-niece Jane McEachin, great-nephew Thomas McEachin Jr., and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11:00 am, with visitation from 9:00 – 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library. https://friendsnola.org/support-the-library/