Wilbert Joseph Soularie, Sr.

Breaux Bridge A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am, on Saturday, July 9, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, for Wilbert Joseph Soularie, Sr., 89, who passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm on Friday, and continue on Saturday at 7:00 am until 10:00 am. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Friday. Rev. Joseph Campion will officiate at the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Breaux Bridge. Wilbert Joseph Soularie, Sr. (affectionately known as T-Boy, Mr. T") was born on July 7, 1926 to the late Victor and Lorena Sylvester Soularie in Breaux Bridge. LA. He was the eldest of their seven children. On the morning of July 3rd at 5:00 am, another soldier took his last breath by joining Gods eternal army. He joined the US Army as a young man and served his country during WWII as a truck driver in Alaska from 1945-1947. Upon returning to Breaux Bridge he married the late Theresa Edmond Soularie. To this union four children were born: Wilbert Jr., Ricky, James, and Liz. Together they also helped with the rearing of their son at heart Leroy Wiltz. During his lifetime, his achievements consisted of working with the Breaux Bridge Civil Defense, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff department as an auxiliary Deputy, working football games, parades, and on patrol throughout the parish, and serving subpoenas on the weekends. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Peter Claver Council 49, Breaux Bridge American Legion Post 578 and True Friends of Lapointe. Although T-Boy did not have a college degree in Architecture, he was a master carpenter by trade and able to design and build homes without blueprint. He was very meticulous and took pride in his work. He was an important factor in helping to build the previous church along with the other carpenters of his era. He built many houses which developed into subdivisions in Breaux Bridge as well as building many other homes in the surrounding areas. T-Boy was instrumental in putting together and starting a minor league baseball team for Negros during segregation. The team was successful and kept many young men out of trouble. He loved the game of baseball, his Westerns, and listening to his gospel and blues music. On March 11, 2016, Wilbert was honored by the Breaux Bridge St. Martin Branch NAACP with the MLK award in recognition of his being an outstanding role model and his generous community service. This was an award well deserved since he never knew what the word NO meant and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He leaves to cherish his many memories, his sons, Ricky (Kim), James Soularie, and Wilbert Thomas (Sarah); his daughters, Elizabeth (Coonie) and Michelle Thomas; his brother, Claussey Soularie (wife Mary) of Crowley; his sister, Clarise Noel of Breaux Bridge, along with sixteen grandchildren; twenty four great-grandchildren; and seven step-grandchildren; his daughters-in-law, Nancy Soularie and Joyce Soularie; and his close friend, Willie Mae Alexander. He is preceded in death by his wife, Theresa E. Soularie; his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Victor Soularie; his maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Varise Sylvester; his paternal grandmother Lucille Alexander; his sons, Wilbert Soularie, Jr. and Leroy Wiltz; his brothers, Wilfred, Henry and Everiste Soularie; and his sister Thelma S. Thibodeaux. We the family of Wilbert Soularie would like to extend a special thank you to his son-in-law Ivory, brother Claussey and granddaughter Keliya who stayed with him in the hospital by providing our dad with a sense of security. We also thank Willie Mae Alexander, his sister Clarise Noel and Glen and Barbara Stagg, Staff at LG Southwest, St. Martin Hospital, St. Joseph Hospice, Dr. J. Parades, F. Deltoro, J. Belgodere, S. Sabbaghian, Dr. E. Kinchen, Dr. I Alam, S. Anderson, and Dr. J. Clement who took excellent care of our father. Active Pallbearers will be Glen Stagg, Ivory Stagg Jr., Ivory Stagg III, Richard Soularie, Vincent Alexander, and Wilbert Soularie III. Honorary pallbearers will be Claussey Soularie, Ricky Soularie, James Soularie, Terraz Stagg, Xavier Stagg, Kerry Bergeron, Reuben Soularie, and Bijan Soularie. Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com