William J Hetzel Jr

Choose for yourselves whom you will serve…. but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

William John Hetzel Jr, 90, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, April 18, 2024, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was first and foremost a man of God and this bible verse was hung on a plaque above his kitchen table for as long as any of us can remember.

A celebration of Life Eternal will be held at 1:OO PM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings, LA with Reverend Charles Miller officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Raymond Methodist Cemetery, Raymond, LA.

Visitation will be observed at Miguez Funeral Home from 9:00 AM until time of service.

Mr. Hetzel, born October 9, 1933, was a member of the 1952 graduating class of Hathaway High School. He then attended McNeese State University as an Agriculture major and a member of the rodeo team. William married Betty Schlesinger on January 24, 1954. Together they farmed rice and cattle in Hathaway for more than 40 years. William had a natural talent for training animals. He trained and showed horses professionally for many years. Additionally, he was nationally known for his working cow dogs. Of all his accomplishments, training dogs brought him the most joy and something that he continued to enjoy right up until his last days. Through this hobby, he and Betty developed many friendships that they treasured greatly.

Throughout his life, watching his kids, grandkids and great grandkids participate in rodeo, a sport that he truly loved, brought him a sense of pride and joy.
William was a member of the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association and past president of the Jeff Davis Cattleman’s Association; 1978 Jeff Davis Parish Farmer of the Year, a 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee to the Lone Star Cattle Dog Futurity, a founding member of the Gulf Coast Stock Dog Association, a member of the board of Fire District 2, and a life-long member and past president of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

William is survived by 2 daughters Martha (Mike) Robertson and Mary Pollard; 2 sons, Glen (Mindy) Hetzel and James Hetzel; and one son-in-law Howard Nugent Jr; 11 grandchildren, Joshua (Sara) Nugent, Andrew (Haley) Nugent, David Robertson, Greg (Jordan) Robertson, Elizabeth (Dillon) Robin, Julia (Bryan) Hornsby, Benjamin (Chelsey) Hetzel, Lacey (Rudy) Austin, Will (Hannah) Hetzel, Sarah Hetzel and Noah Hetzel; and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Dave and Arlene Heinen; Lauren Heinen, Anna (Bryan) Howard, William (Tina) Heinen and McKinley (Jordan) Horaist; and the 5 Heinen grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Hetzel, Sr and Magloria Miller Hetzel; his wife Betty Schlesinger Hetzel; 4 sisters, Ruby Hetzel Miller, Dorothy Hetzel Ritter, Effie Hetzel Bucklin and Joyce Hetzel Fletcher; one daughter Terri Hetzel Nugent and one son-in-law, Butch Pollard.

Serving as Pallbearers are William’s grandsons, Joshua Nugent, Drew Nugent, Benjamin Hetzel, Will Hetzel, Noah Hetzel, David Robertson, Greg Robertson and William Heinen.
The Hetzel family wishes to acknowledge and thank each of his loving in-home care providers whom he loved dearly, as well as the staff of Christus Hospice and Palliative Care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc., PO Box 5000, Yucaipa, CA 92399.