Funeral service for Wilbur “Bill” Aubrey Green, 86, of Natchitoches, will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in the Grace Church in DeRidder, with Bro. George Lee Glass officiating. Burial will follow in the Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder.
Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the funeral home in DeRidder and on Friday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. until time of service at Grace Church in DeRidder.
Bill was born on Aug. 22, 1936, in Oakdale, La., to his parents, Wilbur D. and Jessie Julee Baker Green. He passed away on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Natchitoches, La.
Bill served in the National Guard from 1955 to 1963. He also served as a Motorcycle Cop for the Kinder Sheriff’s Department. He graduated from McNeese with a Bachelor’s Degree in music education and a Master’s Degree in Education. Bill was a member of the Lake Charles Symphony. He served several terms as President of the Allen Parish Teacher’s Association. He was a Band Director for 20 years in DeQuincy, Starks, Kinder, and spent his final years directing in DeRidder. While in DeRidder, Governor Edwards claimed that Deridder’s band was his “Royal Ambassador’s in Blue.”; Bill enjoyed that honor and kept that name for his band. During his time with his bands, hew was invited to bring his band to the Grand Opening of The Astrodome in Houston, Texas, marched in the parade in Disney World. His bands were also awarded many keys to several towns.
After retiring from teaching, he went into the Cable Industry for the next 30 years and transitioned to the Internet Industry for 20 years before retiring. During this career, he was acknowledged for many awards.
He served as Interim Pastor for 1st Baptist Church in Kinder and Trinity Baptist Church in Oakdale. He was a member of the Baptist Association of Louisiana. Minister of Music for Trinity Baptist Church in Oakdale, 1st Baptist Church in Oberlin, and 1st Baptist Church in DeRidder. In DeRidder he also started the first television ministry.
He treasured his many years as direction band and took great “Pride” in having the most phenomenal half time shows where he would select several Broadway shows; Sound of Music, Here Comes The Clowns, Kiss and many others. He had many talents, many students were amazed that he could pick up any instrument and teach them how to play, his talent wasn’t just with playing the instruments, he also could twirl a baton, a rifle and even a flag. He taught guitar and piano lessons. He was very disciplined and expected his band to have the same discipline as he did. He expected excellence and every band member went the extra mile to please him, whether practicing before school, standing at attention even if the ants were crawling on him, many hot summers at Bunkie Band Camp, marching for miles and miles, practicing the half time shows until it was perfected. He also had a concert band where thy also competed in many contests and won, like his marching bands.
Dad met people wherever he went and after talking a few minutes and learning where people were from, he usually knew at least one person from their town.
Left to cherish his memory is his children, Lisa Sullivan of DeRidder, La., Todd Green of Kinder, La., Kirk Green and wife Kimberly of Natchitoches, La., and Lana Pearson and husband, Christopher of Lake Arthur, La.; sister, Julie Rae Green of Kinder, La.; grandchildren, Reed Green, Peyton Green, Grant Armand, Jake Armand, Blake Pearson, and Lance Pearson and great-grandchild, Paxton Green.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Green Family at www.labbymemorial.com.