Obituary

William Benjamin Graves, Jr.

June 5, 1948 - April 4, 2026

William Benjamin Graves, Jr., age 77 and a resident of Franklinton, passed away Saturday morning April 4, 2026 at Slidell Memorial Hospital. He was retired after a long career as a “rod-buster” in the steel construction industry, working for different companies through the years and traveling to job sites all over the state. Junior, as he was known, was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War, serving his country in multiple tours of duty. He also served in the Louisiana Army-National Guard. He loved spending time in the outdoors, especially fishing, crabbing and deer hunting. Junior also loved taking good care of his show chickens and he had a vast collection of antique knives and hatchets. He liked to watch his favorite Western TV shows, “Homestead Rescue” and all types of outdoor documentaries. Junior always enjoyed hanging out with his friends and family, either at cookouts, crab and crawfish boils or hunting trips. He was a Christian man that truly loved others and he prayed every night for those closest to him.

Survived by: Wife of 32 years: Rita Dykes Graves; 5 Sons and Daughters in law: Dwayne and Tammy Graves, David and Lisa Graves, Douglas and Rhoda Graves, Danny Graves, Joshua and Koren Spinks; Grandchildren and Spouses: Jacob Graves, Alydia Graves, Holden Graves, Michael and Mary Gravevs, Dezyrae Graves, Britney and Paul Mounts, Eric and Jordan Creel, Chyanna and Chase Blanchard, Kolton Graves, Blaze Graves, Ronald Jones, Jameson Spinks; 8 Great-grandchildren and an expected great-grandchild; Sister: Martha Mae Thomas; Mother in law: Charlene Dykes Mobley; Sister in law: Valerie Dykes; Also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends

He was preceded in death by his parents William B. Graves, Sr. and Addie Beard Graves, brothers J.D. Hunt, T.C. Hunt, Max Ray Graves, Harvey Graves, sisters Betty Magee, Louise Mizell, father in law Joe Mobley and many other family members.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Wednesday April 8th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 pm Wednesday with Eld. Doyle Ball and Rev. Scottie Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the Beard Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Brent Gerald, Trent Crain, Darren Warren, Kevin Leblanc, Mark Hunt, William Ray Graves

Honorary Pallbearers: Arlie “A.J.” O’Bryant, Jr. and Brian O’Bryant