Obituary Update

Billy Wayne Rester 

August 14, 1937 - February 6, 2026

Billy Wayne Rester, age 88 and a resident of the Varnado Community, died at his residence February 6, 2026. He was retired after a long career as a cattlemen, forestry manager and Washington Parish Chief Deputy Assessor, also a long time Board member of Washington-St Tammany Electric Coop.

Billy loved taking care of some of the Rester family property, “Shady Grove Farm” where he had his cattle operation.  Billy Wayne was a “man's man” being an avid hunter especially Elk and Deer.  He traveled with friends and family on numerous hunting trips to Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, and other areas.  He loved fishing experiences at the Lake of the Ozarks.  Never one to be without a project, he and one helper built the family home.  If you had Billy Wayne as a friend, he was a true one.  He was a member of Highland Baptist Church.  Billy Wayne will be forever missed by those who loved him.

Billy is survived by his wife of 32 years Jane Crain Rester; daughters Angela R. (Ricky) Adams, and Andrea R. Williams and Johnnie Williams, Tom and Janice Desault; brother Cecil Ray (Hollie) Rester; sister Sylvia R. Hautala and the late (Eric); 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and a special nephew Trey Rester.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Cecil Rester and Muriel Fornea Rester; sister Lemenda R. Pope (Charles); and a grandson Jonathan Rester.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 5:00p.m. until 8: 00p.m and will continue on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 9:00a.m. until the service time of 10:00a.m.  The Rev. Leon Hickman will officiate the service and interment will follow at Seal Cemetery in Varnado.  

Active Pallbearers will be Jim S. Digel II (Chief USN) Ret, Jonathan Knight, Kenny Roberts, Josh Seal, Ronnie Carroll, Charles R. Weary.  Honorary Pallbearers will be MGYT D Wayne Dalton, Duane Billy (USMC Ret), Paul Gegenhiemer, Reggie Kennedy, Lee Seal, Tom Desault and many other friends.