Joseph "Will" Skipper, Sr.

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in St. Martinville for Joseph "Will" Skipper Sr., 87, who passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020, at Lafayette General Medical Center. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Notre Dame Catholic Church from 7:00 am until 10:45 am on Saturday. A rosary will be prayed at 8:30 am on Saturday. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery in St. Martinville. Joseph Wilford Skipper was born on August 28, 1933 in St. Martinville, LA, to the late Clarence Skipper, Sr. and Albertine Mitchell Skipper. He was the 2nd of 6 children. Affectionately called "Will", he was a lifelong resident of St. Martinville from the community of St. John. He worked for the city of St. Martinville as a city police officer for about 30 years. He was also a sub bus driver with the St. Martin Parish School Board, and he did security work at Mr. Cook's Restaurant for years. After retirement, he enjoyed riding around town like he was still on patrol for the city, playing bingo in the city park, going to Races and Aces Casino and watching football and baseball games on tv. Win or lose Will was an Avid New Orleans Saints fan. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Leave to cherish "Will's" memories are his children, Mercadine Skipper, Joseph W. (Rosella) Skipper, Jr., Alzena Skipper and Adeline Skipper; brother, Clarence (Philomena) Skipper, Jr.; sisters, Lorenza Fleagence and Margaret Mitchell; sister-in-law, Shirley Skipper; his companion of 14 years, Elnora Leon; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Skipper, Sr. and Albertine Skipper; former wife of 51 years, Joyce Jones Skipper; brothers, Sherry Skipper and Harry (Willie Mae) Skipper, Sr.; and sister, Juanita (Clarence, Sr.) Skipper Hypolite. Pallbearers will be Wendell Ray Barras, Jr., Brandon Skipper, Landis Skipper, Howard Skipper, Jonathan Skipper and Jeremy Skipper. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph W. Skipper, Jr., Clarence Skipper, Jr., Wendell Ray Barras, III, Alvin Guidry, Darrell Guidry, Henry Pickney, Shelby Hypolite, Nicholas Mobley, Rodney Houston, Thaddeus Wilson and Curry Lee Thompson, III. Notre Dame Catholic Church, 201 Gary St., St. Martinville, LA 70582, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com