A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home for Jesse William "Bill" Otterstatter, 88, who passed away peacefully Friday, May 9, 2014 at his home in Lafayette. Reverend William "Bill" Ruskoski, associate pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Broussard, will officiate the mass and conduct the funeral service. Lectors will be Garrett LaBorde and Jason K. Otterstatter; gift bearers will be Courtney Otterstatter-Larke, Cadi M. Otterstatter and Dawn Otterstatter Saunier. The eulogy will be given by his son, Jon Otterstatter. Interment will be in Fountain Memorial Gardens following the mass.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 68 years, Alice Young Otterstatter of Lafayette; six children, Billy Otterstatter, Kathy Otterstatter Henson (Otis), Charles Douglas Otterstatter (Lisa) Steven C. Otterstatter, Jon K. Otterstatter, and Robert K. Otterstatter (Andrea); one brother, Robert C. Otterstatter of Broken Arrow, OK; 11 grandchildren, Shannon St. John, Trey Douglas Voinche, Garrett P. LaBorde (Jennifer), Courtney Otterstatter-Larke (George), Cadi M. Otterstatter, Heather O. Robinson (Bill), Holly O. Viator (Ryan), Jason K. Otterstatter (Stephanie), Dawn Otterstatter Saunier (Paul), and Marissa Otterstatter; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Alice Celene Otterstatter, his parents, the former Hazel Cowen and Jesse Whitney Otterstatter; one sister, Betty O. Quinn Weldon; one grandson, Coby J. Otterstatter; and one niece, Susan Quinn.
A native of Independence, KS and resident of Lafayette for the past 48 years, Bill was a loving husband and father, and a true patriot of the United States of America. He was born on January 21, 1926, and was reared and educated in Tulsa, OK. He worked in sales and operations management for the oil industry for more than 60 years before retiring as co-owner/vice president of Exper-Chem USA.
He was a proud decedent of the Eli Whitney family (inventor of the cotton gin and other designs, inventions and manufacturing processes.)
In his free time, Bill enjoyed fishing, playing with his animals, and the great outdoors.
Pallbearers will be Billy Otterstatter, Charlie Otterstatter, Steven Otterstatter, Jon Otterstatter, Robert Otterstatter, and Garrett LaBorde. Honorary pallbearers include Kathy O. Henson, Robert C. Otterstatter, Harold Young, Jason K. Otterstatter, Mike Quinn, Otis Henson and Robert LeBourgeois.
The family requests that visitation be held Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 4:00-8:00 pm, and resume Thursday afternoon at 1:00 pm until time of service. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening.
Many thanks to Dr. Hector Robles and head nurse Mary Mouton, Dr. Mehmood Patel, Dr, Edmond Negem, Jr., Dr. Syed M. Fazel; Jo Doucet, RN and Carolyn Foret, CNA of Hospice of Acadiana; and Clarissa Starling, CNA, Nicole Trahan, LPN and Randy Gomez, PT of Community Home Health for the excellent care and compassion shown to Bill.
Memorial contributions can be made in Bill's name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70503; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
Words of condolence may be expressed online at www.waltersfh.com.
Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70507; 337.706.8941 is in charge of arrangements.