William Joseph Deckwa Jr., a leader in the home renovation industry, passed from this earth on

Tuesday, April 19th at East Jefferson Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving family, who are

forever grateful to the compassionate caretakers, nurses, and doctors who attended to him

during the last hours of his life. He was 83 years old.

Better known to all as Bill, Mr. Deckwa was born on October 11, 1938, to Althea Fos

Deckwa and William Deckwa Sr. He grew up in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans along with his

beloved sister, Stella Deckwa Jenevein. Mr. Deckwa graduated from Holy Cross High School in

1958 where he was a star player on the basketball team.

Highly accomplished throughout his life, Mr. Deckwa began his career as a teller for the Whitney

National Bank before taking a job with NASA in 1969. He was proud of having helped send a

man to the moon! Afterwards, Mr. Deckwa was employed as a finance manager with Alside

Siding Supply. In 1984, Mr. Deckwa and his wife, Doris, opened their own company, Wholesale

Siding and Window Supply. With a dedication to hard work and customer support, the Deckwas

built the company, which is still flourishing in its 38th year, into a great success.

In addition to being a successful businessman, Mr. Deckwa was a man of many talents. He was

inducted into the Louisiana Poetry Society, wrote and published country music songs, was well

known as a horse owner at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, and played a mean game of pool.

However, his greatest talent was developing and nurturing relationships throughout his long and

blessed life.

Mr. Deckwa is survived by his beloved and loving wife of 52 years, Doris Junda Deckwa. While

residing in Metairie for the past five decades, the Deckwas raised six children: Rob Picou (Jodi),

Terry Deckwa Duvieilh (Warren), Rhonda Picou Sabadie (Guy), William Deckwa III (Elaine),

Donna Picou Crowley (Kevin), and Chris Deckwa (Kim). “Paw Paw” Bill was also blessed with

17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Bill Deckwa’s life will be held on Friday, April 29, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and

Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a Funeral Mass directly following, at Leitz-Eagan

Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Interment will be in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens, Chalmette, LA. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.