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.
Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that
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