Phil Wartelle, Jr.

Washington - A Memorial Mass will be held for Phil Felix Wartelle, Jr. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington, La.  Father Matthew Higginbotham will Celebrate the Mass.  Rite of Committal and Inurnment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Phil Wartelle Jr, 94, passed away at his childhood home in Washington, Louisiana, on December 12, 2022, surrounded by his three loving children.

Phil was born on November 15, 1928, at Oakland Plantation in Washington, Louisiana, one of the Wartelle family plantations. He was raised in Washington and graduated from Washington High School and then Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now UL) in Lafayette. He served in the Navy during World War II. He met the love of his life, Edith Mae Budden, while attending college. Upon their marriage, they lived briefly in Washington, New Iberia, Opelousas and then settled down in Baton Rouge to raise their family. Phil worked for Monterrey Pipeline, a subsidiary of Exxon, for 25 years until his retirement. Once their youngest child completed college, they purchased Phil’s childhood home and returned to Washington to live out their remaining years.  Phil was an avid gardener and farmer which showed through the upkeep of their beautiful home and yard. He also took great pride in his hometown, his family heritage, putting in an honest day’s work, a great game of bouree, and a good cold beer.

Phil and Mae were married for 61 years until her passing in 2018.

Phil is survived by his 2 sons, Webb Wartelle and wife Leah of Baton Rouge, Felix Wartelle, Jr of Washington; daughter, Edie Wartelle Balderree and husband John of Grapevine, Texas; grandsons Collin Balderree of Grapevine, Texas, Brett Haddad of Sydney, Australia, Jordan Haddad and wife, Zara of Albuquerque, New Mexico; great grandchildren Harly, Harper and Koa Haddad of Sydney, Australia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phil Wartelle, Sr and Josie Quirk Wartelle, wife Edith Mae Budden Wartelle; his beloved sisters, Claire Wartelle, Anne Wartelle Hill, Catherine (Cat) Wartelle Ewell, and Rita Wartelle Daniels Blanchard.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to our brother, Felix, who took care of Phil during his last years, Hospice of Acadiana and the numerous friends and relatives who have supported the family during this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice of Acadiana so others may receive this same level of care and comfort.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570 (337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.