Joseph Wilson Rachal

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Natchitoches. Reverend James Foster will officiate the service. Interment will follow at St. Augustine Catholic Church Mausoleum, Isle Breville, LA. The family will receive friends Friday, March 13, 2009 from 5pm until 9pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. A Rosary Service will be held at 7pm Friday in the Chapel of Blanchard St. Denis. Joseph Wilson (J.W.) Rachal, 88, our beloved Father, Grandfather, Uncle, and Friend, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2009 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. J.W. was born on March 13, 1920 in Melrose, Louisiana to the late John B. and Elizabeth Rachal. He was raised in Melrose and Bayou Derbonne, Louisiana and moved to Natchitoches in the 1940s. In 1942, J.W. entered the United States Armed Forces and served as a cook in World War II. He returned to Natchitoches While in the Armed Forces, he met Leatta Metoyer through letters. When he returned from the war, they were married in 1946. During their union, three children were born: Joseph Patrick Rachal, John Gill “Bud” Rachal, and Marie Nadine Babineaux. In 1953, they were separated and Leatta moved to Houston, Texas with children. J.W. worked in Natchitoches, Houston, and New Orleans as a painter, but finally made his home in Natchitoches. Even though J.W. and Leatta separated in 1953, he remained as a good and active father in his children’s life and visited often with them. J.W. was an active member in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters. He leaves behind two sisters, Carrie Metoyer and Genny Tulion of New Orleans, two sons and their wives Joseph Patrick Rachal and Anna Lou, John Gill “Bud” Rachal and Charlotte, and a daughter and her husband, Marie Nadine Babineaux and Joseph Hurley, seven grandchildren: Joseph H. Babineaux, Jr., Natalie Janeen Rachal-Keys, Wayne Clifton Babineaux, Heather R. Rachal, Kim M. Babineaux-LeBlanc, Aaron P. Rachal, and Kay Rachal Babineaux; nine great grandchildren: Wayne “W.C.” Babineaux, Chloe K. Keys, Joseph “Tre” Babineaux, III, Eden Babineaux, Grayson Babineaux, Nathan Babineaux, Liyah Babineaux, Xavier “Bowlegs” Robertson, Landen Robertson, Avariel Alex-Keys (adopted), numerous nieces and nephews, and several very good friends. His children and grandchildren will remember him in his overalls getting ready to feed the cows. Within the past ten years, every first weekend in December became a special reunion for his children and grandchildren. His children and their families enjoyed sharing the Natchitoches tradition of the Lights Festival. Even though J.W. led a very simple life, he didn’t mind the pitter patter of little feet running through his house. He didn’t mind the constant laughter and loud noise. J.W. only asked for one thing every time we visited – a good home cooked meal. He will truly be missed by all.