William Thomas (Bill) Cagnon, Jr.

William Thomas (Bill) Cagnon, Jr., age 79, of Temple died Monday, March 30, 2009 in a local hospital. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 1, at Grace Presbyterian Church with Dr. Thomas Allen officiating and a Masonic service to follow. Burial will be 1:30 PM Thursday, April 2, at Greenwood Cemetery in Jennings, Louisiana with military honors under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings. Visitation will be 6:00 ” 7:30 PM Tuesday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Mr. Cagnon was born January 26, 1930 in Ridley Park, PA and had lived in Temple since 1991. He served in the US Army and was awarded the Soldier of the Year. He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church where he was a deacon and had been president of the senior group, OWLS He was a graduate of Gulf Coast Military Academy in MS and Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS where he was in Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and the Maroon College Band. He was a volunteer at the Temple VA and had amassed 764 voluntary hours at the BRB Information Desk. He was a member of the DAV (life membership), American Legion, and he was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and member of Jennings Lodge #249 A. F. & A. M. For many years he and his wife, Elizabeth, lived in Jennings, LA where their three children were born. He was a member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, owner/manager of Cagnon Tire, served as mayor, and was active in the Rotary and Optimist Clubs. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, Dixie Land and Big Band era music, genealogy, and taking care of his home and yard. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Hildebrand Cagnon and they lacked three days of celebrating their 54th anniversary, having been married April 2, 1955; and their children, William Thomas Cagnon, III of Temple, TX, Catherine Elaine Hebert and husband, Al of Abbeville, LA, Robert Franklin Cagnon and wife, Sandy of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Ryan Nicole Baty and husband, Brian of Lumberton, TX, Alexander Adam and Andrew Alden Hebert of Abbeville, LA, Michelle Nicole Ryder and husband, Jimmy, Caroline Elizabeth Cagnon, Sabrina Cagnon, Ashley Renee and Lori Michelle Stewart, and Candi Leanne all of Hillsboro, TX; great-grandchildren, Hunter Regan Baty of Lumberton, TX, Kira Elizabeth, Cole Michael, and Katie Leigh Ryder all of Hillsboro, TX and his sister, Sarah Jane Hall Lay of Panama City, FL. He was predeceased by his parents, William Thomas Cagnon and Alma Lea Denny Cagnon. Memorials may be directed in Temple to the Grace Presbyterian Church, Churches Touching Lives for Christ (CTLC), Temple Pet Animal and Adoption Center, Volunteer Services at Temple VA Hospital in Temple, TX; or in Jennings, LA to the Carnegie Public Library or to the organization of your choice anywhere. Visitation Tuesday March 31, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home Funeral Service Wednesday April 1, 2009, 10:00 AM at Grace Presbyterian Church Burial Thursday April 2, 2009, 1:30 PM at Greenwood Cemetery, Jennings, Louisiana under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings.