William Dezendorf, Sr.

William Roy Dezendorf, Sr., an incredible husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on August 23, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He will be deeply missed.

He was born on September 16, 1928 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, the second of four boys born to Edward Lathrop Dezendorf, Jr and Mildred Elaine Sims. He lived an exceptionally active childhood, often building, tinkering with and flying model airplanes and making various projects, “just to see if he could do it.” He was a graduate of Bolton High School in Alexandria. His curiosity for how things worked led him to Louisiana College to begin studies in Mechanical Engineering. During this time, he began tutoring math to make extra money for school. This is where he met his wife of 68 years, Barbara Aymond. He later transferred to and graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in January of 1951, and was immediately drafted to serve his country during the Korean War in February. He ultimately served 26 years of combined active duty and reserve duty in the United States Air Force retiring with the rank of Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He began his engineering career working for the telephone company as a buildings engineer in Lake Charles, Louisiana and eventually was transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana. He retired from Bell South in 1988. In addition to his work life, Roy loved to build model airplanes, travel with his family and friends in his Airstream trailer, was an active member in his church, and was deeply invested in family life. He had a unique mix of wit and wisdom that his family will forever cherish and miss. He was an incredible critical thinker with a sharp and focused mind. He always stayed up to date with technology and aviation.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents, Mildred “Maggie” Elaine Sims and Edward Lathrop “Gus” Dezendorf, Jr, his brothers, Edward Lathrop Dezendorf III, Dennis HyamsDezendorf, and Jack Ronald Dezendorf, his grandparents Edward Lathrop Dezendorf, Sr. and Dora Thomasee Dezendorf, his step-grandmother, Linnie Colton Dezendorf. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Aymond Dezendorf, his three children and their spouses, William Roy Dezendorf, Jr. and his wife Teresa, Michael Lathrop Dezendorf and his wife Kim, and Brenda Kay Dezendorf Austin and her husband Gary, his grandchildren and their spouses, Erik Lathrop Dezendorf and his wife Courtney, Justin Michael Dezendorf and his wife Sarah, Benjamin Roy Dezendorf and his wife Kristina “Kricket”, Scott Hardin Dezendorf, William Daniel Dezendorf, and Mark Lee Austin and his wife Mackenzie, and 6 great grandchildren, Connor Edward, Colin Daniel, Drew Charlotte, Sloane May, Charles Nolan, and Taylor Michael, who he was immensely proud of, as well as many nieces and nephews. Of all the wonderful things that filled his life, his family was the thing he was the proudest of. He was the patriarch of a very connected, close family. And he showed each of us the meaning of supporting each other with unconditional love. He will be forever missed.

As a COVID-19 Pandemic funeral, masks and social distancing will be required. Visiting hours will take place at Resthaven Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29, 2020 from 2:00pm until service at 3:00pm in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note for the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.