Wilbur Fields Joffrion

Wilbur Fields Joffrion, Brigadier General, Army, died at Ollie Steele Burden Manor on Thursday, February 11, 2016. He was 91, was born and grew up in Alexandria, La. and was a resident of Baton Rouge since 1958. Visitation will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 8833 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, from 2 p.m. to religious services at 4 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2016, conducted by the Rev. Bryan Owen. Military burial to be in Greenwood Memorial Park, Pineville, La., the following day, Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 12 noon. Survived by wife, Marie Grace "Beebe" Joffrion, Baton Rouge, and four children: son, Davidson S. Joffrion and wife, Lisa, Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughters, Marian J. Colburn and husband, Terry, Searcy, Ark.; Ruth G. Joffrion, Baton Rouge; and Madeleine Joffrion, Orlando, Fla.; and five granddaughters, Laura, Emily and Allyson Hope Joffrion, Cassandra Jardine, and Leah Paras. He is also survived by a sister, Hope Joffrion McCollam and husband, Wm. McCollam, New Orleans; brother, Bush D .Joffrion, Baton Rouge; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bush and Hope Joffrion, Alexandria. Will was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Alexandria until 1958, then he was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, from 1958 until his death. He served on the vestry at St. Luke's, was an active usher, a Stephen Minister, and very involved in writing the history of St. Luke's. He attended public schools in Alexandria, LSU (1 year), graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and obtained a Master's Degree at Tulane University while on active army duty. Will served in the army in Germany and Korea, and also as an instructor at West Point. He resigned his Army commission in 1958 and remained in the Army Reserves. Will joined the Bynum and Grace Insurance Agency owned by Thomas Grace, his father-in-law. He worked there for 36 years as an agent, partner, officer, and owner. He retired from the agency, then Bynum, Grace, and Joffrion, in 1994. He obtained the CPCU and CIC insurance designation, was a past president of the former Baton Rouge Insurance Exchange, and was the lead organizer of the Associated Risk Managers of Louisiana, a marketing network of local independent insurance agencies. Will served 12 years on active army duty and 23 years in the army reserves, being promoted to Brigadier General in 1976, and retired from the army in 1981 having served four years as the commander of the 377th Theater Army Area Command, a general officer command located in New Orleans. He was State Director of the Selective Service System from 1989 to 2001. He was active in numerous military, patriotic, and civic organizations, including the Downtown Kiwanis Club since 1959, the Military Order of World Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, the General Philemon Thomas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (past president), and the Sons and Daughters of the Provence and Republic of West Florida ( past governor). He was a charter member of the state committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves, and was inducted into the LSU Military Hall of Honor in 1998. History and especially family history was a later passion of Will. He wrote a book on his memoirs, and also one on his family genealogy. He traced his Joffrion background to southern France, and he and Beebe along with brother Bush enjoyed visiting family members in France and celebrating the French relatives coming to visit Louisiana. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Will's memories will be cherished by family and friends. The family would like to express their thanks to the staff and caregivers at Ollie Steele Burden Manor. In lieu of flowers the family asked that memorials be considered for St. Luke's Episcopal Church or a charity of choice. Rabenhorst in Baton Rouge is in charge of the arrangements. "...And When One's Work is Done, Our Course on Earth is Run, May it be said, Well Done, Be Thou at Peace."