William Harold Liles, Jr.

William Harold Liles, Jr. age 92 passed away Thursday July 15, 2021 at his home on Collins Road after a long illness. Billy Harold, as he is known by his family and friends was born in Natchitoches, LA on Flag Day, June 14, 1929. His mother was Molly Stephens Liles Atkinson and his father was William Harold Liles, Sr. and step-father Roy Atkinson. He is also preceded in death by his beloved maternal grandmother, Janie Stephens, of Coldwater Community. He was a graduate of Natchitoches High School, where he was active on the Red Devils football team. After graduation he proudly served in the Marines. He attended LaTourneau Technical Institute in Longview, TX and also attended Northwestern. He then began a career as a pipeline welder, where he was recognized for his talent in ambidextrous welding, as he could use both hands equally well to weld right and left around the pipe. He worked in many states, Venezuela, and on the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Later he returned to the farm raising cattle and “layer chickens” for which he received many top awards and he also drove a school bus for 21 years. Billy Harold is survived by his wife of 71 years, Nelda Faye Gass Liles; a beloved daughter, Sharon Elizabeth; two sons, William David and Stephen Mark Liles both of Natchitoches; grandsons, John Sitz Liles, David Lynn, Ricky Wayne, Kris Michael, Richard Sterling, and Robert Sheldon and his wife Sabrina Simmons Liles. He is further descended by great-grandsons, Karson, Justin, Aiden, Kade and great granddaughter, Justine Liles and a “spot of sunshine in his life” namely Lily Alyss Liles, daughter of Sheldon and Sabrina. A graveside only ceremony for family and friends will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Coldwater Baptist Church Cemetery in Hagewood, LA under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.