Leslie Odell “Slingshot” Deville, 58, passed away on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 in his residence. 

Genesis 31:49- “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.” 

He was a native of Alexandria and had been a lifelong resident of Sulphur where he was a 1985 graduate of Sulphur High School. Leslie worked for the last 15 years as a heavy equipment and large crane operator and had previously worked as a long haul truck driver where he received the handle “Slingshot” which then became his nickname. He enjoyed big trucks, motorcycles, dancing, and singing karaoke. With his infectious smile, this gentle giant became a friend to anyone he met and truly loved people just like Jesus did. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  

Survivors include his mother, Myra Deville-Saucier and husband, David of Lake Charles; his father, Ellis Odell Deville and wife, Carolyn of Carlyss; his fiance’, Karen Chapman Smith of Sulphur; his sister, Joann Deville Koonce and husband, Stephen of Alto, Georgia; his stepdaughter, Devaney Ryder of Moss Bluff; his stepbrothers, Danny Lindgren and wife, Mandy of Sulphur, and Derek Hemperley and wife, Deanne of Katy, Texas; his stepsister, Amber Hebert and husband, Daniel of Katy, Texas; his stepsister-in-law, Rachal Lindgren of Sulphur, and his niece and nephews, Candice Koonce, Kristopher Koonce, and William Koonce. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ellis and Ida Deville, and Bruce and Addlean Beaubouef, and his stepbrother, David Lindgren.

His funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. The Revs. Jeremy Blocker and Monty Jones will officiate. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service Saturday in the funeral home. Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at Big Island Baptist Church Cemetery in Deville, La. Words of comfort maybe shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.