Wilson Germain

Roussel

Wilson Germain Roussel, age 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family on January 23, 2022. He was born in Paulina, La. on September 28, 1930. He was a long-time resident of Gramercy, La. and was most recently a resident of St. James Place retirement community in Baton Rouge, La.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Vail Roussel, his children Lisa Veron (John), Chris Roussel (Rita), Sue Ellen Roussel, Cathy Luquette (Cliff), Ross Roussel, Stephen Roussel (Dana). He also leaves behind 18 grandchildren: Ayme Schmeeckle (Jess), Rachel Fontenot (Evan), Joseph Veron (Lindsay), Katie Taylor (Robert), Jeremy Roussel (Marcy), Jason Roussel (Trish), Benjamin Roussel (Amanda), Sarah Boehringer (Kurt), Matthew Guidry (Lara), Lindsay Hellwig, Adam Luquette (Heather), Toby Luquette (Kelly), Valerie Talburt (Jason), Landon Roussel (Amanda), Bethany Shtarbov (Angel), Nicholas Roussel (Courtney), Kristen Roussel, Blake Roussel, 28 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Goodfellow Roussel, his grandson Cory Gabriel Roussel, his parents Morgan Jr. and Carmen Ayme Roussel, as well as siblings Thelma Foret, Beverly Anderson, Pearl Hymel, Morgan Roussel III, Earl Roussel, Sr. Mary Germaine (Earline) Roussel, Carmen Gaudet; half-brothers, Roland Roussel, Jennings Roussel and Wilhelm Roussel (Mac).

He was a graduate of Lutcher High School and Louisiana State University, a captain in the U.S. Marine corps, and served overseas in the Korean War. He was a longtime human resource manager at Kaiser Aluminum in Gramercy. Among his many accomplishments, he served as chairman and was a 30-year member of the River Parishes Chemical Industries Council. He was chairman of the Gramercy Recreation District, a board member of the Capitol Area United Givers, the chairman of the St. James Parish AARP, and a former president of the St. James Community Theater and of the Lutcher-Gramercy Lions Club. He was a founding member of the St. James Parish Education Excellence Foundation and a former member of the board of directors of First American Bank.

Will was a kind, gentle and giving man who was loved and cherished by his family and friends as well as by the residents and staff of St. James Place. He was truly devoted to his wife and his family, and he instilled this love of family into all his offspring. His (and our) greatest joy was to gather together as a family. He was a faithful life-long fan of all LSU sports. A man of many talents, he loved reading, traveling, fishing, playing golf, playing cards, playing shuffleboard, singing, cooking Cajun meals, passing on his French Cajun culture, woodworking and more. He was a consummate tinkerer and loved to repair things with found materials and creating gifts for adults and children alike. He wrote a memoir of his life called "Memoirs of a Paulina Cop-Cop."

The family would like to give special thanks to nurse's aide Althea Jackson of St. James Place, and hospice nurse Suzie Boudinot of The Hospice of Baton Rouge for their loving care during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to St. James Education Excellence Foundation, P.O. Box 338, Lutcher, LA 70071.

A visitation will be held at St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 29 from 11:00am-12:30pm. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at the church at 1:00pm, celebrated by Fr. Randy Cuevas. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Paulina, La.