Louis James Bissonnette of Columbia TN passed away on January 9, 2023, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
Lou was born on June 5, 1948, in Colchester VT to Roger and Frances Bissonnette of Winooski VT.
The family moved to Eau Gallie, FL when Lou was 12. He graduated from Eau Gallie High School, Class of 1966 and entered the Air Force in Sep 1967. He retired at the Rank of Chief Master Sergeant with 22 years service after traveling the world. He was assigned to Louisiana, Goosebay Labrador Canada, Idaho, Arkansas, Germany, Mississippi, California, Texas, Japan and his final assignment was Mississippi. He had numerous special assignments, including Instructor at the Chapel Management School, Wilford Hall Medical Center Chapel, Air Force Inspector General Team, and Fifth Air Force Chaplains Office.
After his Air Force service, Lou became a police officer and served the City of Biloxi, Harrison County Sheriff’s office and Chief of Police for the small town of d’Iberville MS.
Lou has an Associates’ Degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Jr College and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi (Highest Honors.)
In 1969 he met Joy E. Keenum while stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base; they married July 12, 1969 at the Base Chapel on Barksdale. He has one son, Andrew Scott (Jennifer) and three grandsons, Drew, Hudson and Miller.
Lou loved the gulf coast of Mississippi but relocated to Tennessee after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He grew to love the state of Tennessee in retirement and played numerous games of golf with Joy and friends. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Columbia TN where he participated in numerous mission trips and was an early coordinator of their Wheel Chair ministry.
Lou was an avid softball player during his Air Force career and was a member of the US Air Forces Europe Championship Team while stationed in Germany. He coached little league for Andrew’s teams for a number of years and played many years of softball after retirement. He loved to water ski and snow ski and was proud that he had a hand in teaching all three grandsons how to ski. After retirement, Lou and Joy traveled frequently and visited all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.
He was predeceased by his parents, Roger and Frances Bissonnette and one brother, David Bissonnette.
He is survived by two sisters, Linda Olsen (Robert) and Debbie Wallace (Warren).
Special thanks to the staff at Morning Pointe, The Lantern in Spring Hill who cared for him over the last year. Also thanks to members of Avalon Hospice care team during the past six months of his life.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 4:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Lory Catlett officiating. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions in memory of Lou be made to the Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park CA 94026 (www.brainsupportnetwork.org) or Call on the Fighter Foundation c/o-Act Intl, PO Box 1966, Brentwood TN 37024-1966 or online at www.callonthe-fighter.com EIN 26-2966063
Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. https://www.tnfunerals.com
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