Billy Joe Peterson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 11, 2020, at 6:00 pm, on the grounds of the Marze Family home with Reverend Fred Fraser at 327 Mayo Blvd, Sunset, Louisiana for Billy Joe Peterson, age 81. He peacefully passed away Thursday morning, August 20, 2020 at his home in Lafayette surrounded by his wife, daughters, and closest family. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 3:00 pm at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery in Florien, Louisiana. Reverend Wilton “Tony” Anthony, Pastor of Siloam Baptist Church in Many, Louisiana will conduct the graveside service. Survivors include his beloved wife of 52 years, Barbara Ann Peterson; his daughters, Shaunda Peterson Johnson and her husband, Trey; Tonya Peterson Borill and her husband, Josh; and grandchildren, Jake Johnson, Payton Johnson, Major Peterson, Gage Peterson, Reese Cortez, Rhyan Borill, and Hayes Borill; his sisters Becky Lehr and Connie Sandel, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and his precious dog Lily Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents, S.D. and Dollie Peterson; his son, Dannon Luke Peterson; his sister, Ann Salter and her husband Jerry Salter; his brother, Ben D. Peterson; and his nephew, Cassell Lehr. Abraham Lincoln once said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” Billy Joe lived a BIG life! He entered this world on the 4th of July, 1939, in Florien, Louisiana. He grew up living the typical life of a farm boy, hard work and hard play (chopping wood, hauling hay in the bottom, swimming in Toro Creek, fishing at Toledo Bend, riding horses and even trying to ride cows). After several years studying agriculture at Northwestern State University, Billy Joe changed his career path. At age 21, he hitchhiked from North Louisiana to South Louisiana and talked his way into his first job in the oilfield. This began a career that would last over 50 years. He started as a rig hand and worked his way to Vice President. A colleague and dear friend, Carl Thorne, once shared that the famed oilfield firefighter Red Adair “loved Billy because he had no fear. Billy would walk into the mouth of a fire side-by-side with Red. Billy is as good an oilfield hand as exists in the world today.” On a stint home from Iran, Billy met the love of his life, Barbara Knowlton. After 28-days of courtship they were married and began a life of adventure living in Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates before returning home to the USA in 1984. In 1987, Billy left SEDCO to join ENSCO, partnering with his lifelong friends who he described as “a bunch of hard-headed, hard driving stubborn fellas. Failure wasn’t in their vocabulary.” And succeed they did! Billy Joe and Steve Gruver set up shop at a Holiday Inn in Lafayette and 20 years later the office in Broussard was the headquarters for ENSCO’s North and South American Operations. Billy gave all that he had to ENSCO until they day he retired in 2011. Billy lived the rest of his years in South Louisiana but Sabine Parish was always in his heart. He spent his retirement traveling between Lafayette and his much loved Toledo Bend. He was always happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. Honorary Pallbearers will be:Wayne Lehr, Dickey Marze, Dayton Marze, Hayden Marze, Steele Merritt, Slade Bienvenu, Stephen Peterson, Stone Peterson, Nic McCormic, Robert Dale Geoghagan, Bob Geoghagan, Conrad Cathey, Henry Lee Davis, Dean Walters, Kelly Mahoney, Chris Calagna, Craig Gonzales, Jeff Saile, and Bill Chadwick. Heartfelt appreciation is extended by the entire Peterson family to Heart of Hospice for the excellent care given to our Pop. A special thank you to Courtney Picard, Nicole Deaville, Becca Vidrine and Leslie Cormier for loving him like their own. Billy was proud to be an American and born on the 4th of July. His family will be wearing red, white and blue to the outdoor celebration on Friday, August 28th. They would love for you to join them, dress casually in your favorite patriotic colors! View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811

Billy Joe Peterson

July 4, 1939 - August 20, 2020

Explore Martin & Castille Funeral Home

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

What We Do

Grief & Healing

Resources

Obituaries

Contact Information