Walman “Wyman” Ezeb Papillion, age 87, went to be with our Lord on July 23, 2022. Wyman, as many called him, was born on July 28, 1934, in Mallet, La., to Theodule and Hilda Guillory Papillion Sr. He was the oldest of 13 siblings. His first language was Creole French. As a young boy, he had to help take care of his brothers and sisters and work on the family farm for a living. Due to this, he was only able to attend school until third grade. As an adult, he continued to learn to read and write through adult education classes.
In 1955, he married Celestine Marie Guillory of Mallet, La. After he married, they moved to Lake Charles, La. At the time, he worked for Local 207. Walman has always worked two jobs to support and care for his family.
In 1976, he began working for PPG Industries. Along with PPG, he worked either at the St. Peter Claver Lodge #141, Delta Downs, or with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Department. He retired after 26 years from PPG and 22 years with the Sheriff Department.
Walman was a member of Knights of St. Peter Claver Council #141 for over 50 years. He enjoyed zydeco music, French dances, trail rides (Small Pony Express with Theodore (June) Collins, gardening, cooking, watching westerns, visiting with his children and grandchildren, visiting family, attending family reunions, reading the newspaper, speaking Creole French, talking to people and anything to have a good laugh. He always wore a smile and loved to dance. He was an avid dresser and loved to dress in western wear for the true cowboy he was. One thing he always wanted most, was for his family to always be together and get along. He enjoyed life.
Walman is preceded in death by his wife, Celestine Guillory Papillion; sons, Robert Dale Brown Sr., Joseph Papillion; parents, Theodule and Hilda Papillion; sisters, Mayola Ford, Anastasia Gobert, Elsie Mae Bellow; brothers, Ozeya Papillion, Ozia Papillion, Hilton Papillion and Theodule Papillion Jr.
Walman’s legacy will live on forever in his children, Jason Paul (Renita) Papillion, Vanessa Marie (Brickley) Davis, Chad Allen Papillion, and David Wayne Thibodeaux all of Lake Charles, La., Ashley Faith Chretien (Manvel, Texas); daughter-in-law, Myrtle Brown; grandchildren, Christen Alyse Papillion (Jason) Johnson, Lyndon Eric Papillion, Amber Celeste Papillion, Morgan Michelle Davis, McKenzie Nicole Davis, Robert Dale (Contessa) Brown Jr., Priscilla Brown (Donald) Brooks, Phillip Joseph Brown, Damion Dwayne Thibodeaux, David Wayne Thibodeaux Jr., Breauna Marie Thibodeaux, Ma’Kylon DeSean Eugene Thibodeaux; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Marietha Mitchell (Ames, Texas), Vernita Rivon (Raywood, Texas), Felton Papillion (Baytown, Texas); a great-aunt and great-uncle; god-children; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, July 29, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. in Combre Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be Saturday July 30, 2022 in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Combre Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be shared at www.combrefunerahome.com.