Willard Paul Chauvin, Sr., 89, a native and resident of Raceland, died at 11:32 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday April 14 at Falgout Funeral Home in Raceland and from 8 a.m. to Funeral time Tuesday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in the St. Charles community (Thibodaux). Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with internment in the church cemetery.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Rita Mire Chauvin; one son Willard Paul "Wolf" Chauvin, Jr. and wife Mary Beth Chiasson Chauvin of Gray; two daughters, Stephanie Mary Chauvin Guidry and husband Daniel Charles "Chuck" Guidry of Lacombe, Sheila Mary Chauvin Thibodaux and husband Randy James Thibodaux of Raceland; two sisters, Peggy C. Duplantis and Ruby C. Mathis; four grandchildren, Brice Gerard Chauvin, Jordy Paul Chauvin, Nathaniel Jordan "Tan" Guidry, and wife Sara Beth (Dugas), and Maegan Elyse Thibodaux and husband Jared Martin Taylor; and three great-grandchildren Leighton Matthew, Fynlie Chey and Beckett Paul Guidry.
He was preceded in death by his parents Armand Joseph and Rena Roussel Chauvin; three brothers, Herman, Douglas and Curtis Chauvin, and two sisters, Mary Jeanette Chauvin and Delta C. Falgout; and one great-grandson, Gavin Matthew Guidry.
Willard was born December 28, 1924 in Raceland. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served with the 164th Infantry (Americal Division) Bougainville, Solomon Islands in the Pacific during WWII. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement against the enemy at Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands in February 1945. He was a member of the VFW Post 3665 in Raceland.
He was a retired master carpenter and cabinet maker having worked in many homes and businesses in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.
He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and self-taught musician; but his passion was wooden duck decoy carving. He was among the elite woodcarvers of Louisiana having carved ducks and other waterfowl for family, friends and collectors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for mass intentions.
Falgout Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements