Obituary

Billy Wayne Seal

May 14, 1935 - December 9, 2024

Billy Wayne Seal, age 89 and a native of Varnado and resident of Bogalusa, passed away peacefully at Saint Tammany Parish Hospital on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, following a brief illness.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Kerry Cunningham of Abita Springs; his granddaughter, Cassidy Cunningham of Lafayette; a step-grandson, Kerry Cunningham Jr. (Sheila) of Madisonville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Ernestine Warner Seal; his parents, Robert and Velma Pittman Seal; his father- and mother-in-law, Clarence and Beulah Branch Warner; an infant son, Robert Wayne Seal; a sister, Jacqueline Seal; sisters-in-law Wilma Seal, Bobbye Hughes, Claudine Chestnut, Mildred Warner, and Delores Warner; brothers-in-law Wilton Warner, Leon Seal, Billy Hughes, Gilbert Holden, and Bob Chestnut; and a beloved nephew, Dennis Seal.

Billy graduated from Varnado High School in 1954 and Delta State College in 1958. He taught math and coached football at Varnado High for several years following graduation then went to work for the Prudential Insurance Co. He moved his family to Jackson, Miss., in 1970 when he took a management position with Prudential. He and Ernestine moved back to Bogalusa in 1995 following their retirements.

After returning to Bogalusa, Billy was involved with the city’s Christmas in the Park Commission for a number of years. He was also a member of the American Legion and First Baptist Church of Bogalusa.

He was an avid LSU fan, and he passed that love down to his daughter early as they’d listen together to radio broadcasts of LSU football games on WWL, which could be heard across the South once the sun went down. When moving back to Bogalusa he especially enjoyed spending Saturdays in the fall tailgating at LSU football games with his wife, sister- and brother-in-law, Bobbye and Billy Hughes, and longtime friends Jackie and Rand Porter. He also was an LSU Baseball season ticket holder, and he and his travel partner, whether it was his wife, daughter, or brother-in-law Billy, made good friends for life, including Al and Carolyn Bellott of Kenner.

While in Jackson, he never missed a school or extra-curricular activity his daughter was involved in, and when he became a Papa, he never missed a school event, sporting event or other activity in which his granddaughter participated. He was well known among Cassidy’s friends and teammates, who also called him Papa.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa with the Rev. Josh Powell officiating.  A visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Seal Cemetery in Varnado.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Jim Ezell, Rickey Holden, Tim Seal, Barry Seal, and Randy Chestnut, and step-grandson, Kerry Cunningham Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be nephews Roger Warner and Greg Holden, cousins Mike Williams and Mickey Seals, longtime friend and former student Mike Lewis, lifelong friend Marvin Kennedy, and close friends and members of the Varnado High School Class of 1954, Billy Jack Simmons, Hayward Boone, and Reubin Miley.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Wetona Freeman of Bogalusa, who was a good friend and caretaker to Billy for the past few years, and especially when his wife died in July.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, 541 Avenue F, Bogalusa, LA 70427.