William John “Billy” Pinch Jr., 77, of Welsh, passed away on Sept. 16, 2024, after a brief, but hard fought and courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation for Billy will begin on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the Most Holy Rosary being prayed at 6 p.m.   It will resume at 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, until the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Miguez Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Michael Tadlock officiating.  Burial will follow in Lopez Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.

Carrying him to his place of rest will be his brothers in arms, Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Department Transport Team.

He was born in Grand Chenier, La. on Sept. 26, 1946, to William John “Bill” Pinch and Dora Mae Nunez Pinch.  He numbered in his ancestors several pioneer families of the Grand Chenier area, Baccigalopi, Savoie, Nunez and many others.

Billly graduated from South Cameron High School in 1964 where he was a member of the football, basketball and track teams. He was honored in his senior year as the Best All Around Athlete.   He went on to McNeese University where he earned his master’s in education.  

Billy went back home to teach and coach at South Cameron High School earning the respect and devotion of his students, many of whom still call him “Coach” today.

In 1975, Billy left teaching to try his hand in the oilfield industry that was such a part of Cameron Parish.  He enjoyed a successful career in the oil patch and worked his way up the ladder to supervisor of the largest Mobil platform, 71D, in the Gulf of Mexico during the 1980’s.

In 1988, Billy married Roberta “Bertie” Blake and became President of her family’s business, Cameron Construction Company and Cameron Rental Company until they were sold.  He stayed in the oilfield as a consultant for the industry working around south Louisiana and Texas and even overseas to Malongo, Angola, Africa.

His retirement from the oilfield didn’t last long once he was offered a job with the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Department as a transport deputy.  None of us could imagine this venture as it was so far from anything he had ever done, but in true “Billy Pinch” fashion, he met the challenge head on and loved it.  Of course, he was successful there as well.  He was Deputy Pinch, until he grew so ill.

Billy enjoyed the outdoors, sitting on the porch looking over his cherished Red Brahman cattle, bushhogging his pastures, hunting or fishing.  One of his proudest moments was when his bull “Shaq” was the Grand Champion Bull at the All American Junior Brahman show in 1995.  Shaq was a bull he had bred and raised on Broken Heart Ranch in Lacassine where he, Bertie and Whitnie lived for the past 30 or so years.  Billy’s love for cattle and kids was a beautiful mix.  Not only did three of his children grace the show ring, but he gave many other kids the opportunity to experience the same by allowing them to show his cattle often at his own expense.  He taught these kids many life lessons in that red barn.

Billy was an “old soul”, he loved the Cajun music of his ancestors whether listening or dancing; he enjoyed cooking and eating Cajun food even to the point of hounding some of Grand Chenier’s older ladies for their recipes and eventually perfecting them.  He loved anything sweet and baked something wonderful every week for his family to enjoy.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Bertie; four children, Christie (David) McCullough, David (Bronwen L. Theriot) Pinch, Fallon (Marcus) Broussard and Whitnie Pinch;  six grandchildren, Hayden (Hayley) Sturlese, Emma Pinch, Riley Theriot, Adrian McCullough, Easton and Grant Broussard; two great-grandchildren, Amelia and Kamp Sturlese; sister, Mary Kaye (Al) Allemond; sisters-in-law, Charla Blake and Norma Pinch;  Christie and David’s mother, Cindi Downing and Fallon’s mother, Leta Landry; nieces, Jami Pinch, Kali Pinch Currey and Casi Pinch; nephews, Aaron Pinch. Nick Pinch, Alex Allemond and Andrew Allemond; 10 great-nieces and nephews; more family members and friends than we can count.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Dora Pinch, and two beloved brothers, Pat and Bobby Pinch.

Our family would like to thank the staffs of The Rehabilitation Hospital of Jennings, Jeff Davis Living Center and LAMM Hospice for the love and care extended to Billy these last weeks;  to the Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Department, for taking care of us and checking on us; to Miguez Funeral Home and Staff, for the compassion and love you have shown and to so many friends that have offered up prayers and help in anything and everything we needed.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Billy’s memory to the American Cancer Society, The American Junior Brahman Association; or any charity of your choice.