William "Plugee" Austin Jr.

William “Plugee” Austin, Jr. at the age of 88 entered peacefully into eternal rest at Passage Hospice on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was a native of Donaldsonville, Louisiana and a resident of Marrero, Louisiana. He was educated in the Jefferson Parish Public School System. He was the beloved husband of the late Joyce Mary Jessie Austin, and unto this union were born Joycelyn and Andrea, and the late Wilbert, Larry Sr., and Michael Austin. Son of the late William Austin, Sr. and Beatrice Stevenson Austin Brown and brother to the late Audrey Austin Coleman. “Plugee” as he was affectionately known worked as a truck driver and a custodian for the Jefferson Parish School System until he retired. He also worked for John Mandeville and the Borough Rabbit Sugar Company. He was a member of the Gentlemen Class. He enjoyed sweet potato bread made by his niece, Brenda; McDonald’s apple pies brought to him by great-granddaughter, Aalaysia; and cornbread dressing made by his daughter. He really loved watching the New Orleans Saints games while eating spaghetti and meatballs and fried chicken wings. William accepted Christ and was baptized by Pastor Nelson Dexter, Jr. where he served as a faithful member and an usher for 21 years. He enjoyed listening to music and singing “I’ve Come Too Far To Turn Around” from favorite song “I Can’t Give Up” by his favorite group Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. He was preceded in death by his four aunts, Rose Lee Junior, Gertrude Dunn, Mary Washington and Alberta Banks; His six uncles, William Jr., Wilfred, Ivory, Ernest, Wilson and Walter Stevenson; his four brothers-in-law, Roosevelt, Albert, and Harry Sr. Jessie, and Frank Coleman; four sisters-in-law, Erma Gaines, Annie Douse, Alma Comber, and Veronica Jessie; a son-in-law, Johnny Hill, Sr.; and a host of nieces and nephews. Leaving to reflect on his legacy and special times with him as a loving father and grandfather, two daughters, Joycelyn Robinson (Davis) and Andrea Francis (Ferdinand); a daughter-in-law, Vanessa Austin; a devoted cousin, Clarence Stevenson; a devoted friend, Deloris Dillard; ten grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Betty Jessie and Alena Jessie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, also pastors, officers, and members of Temple of Praise Church of God in Christ, St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church, Life Church of Memphis (TN), Greater Galilee Baptist Church, Second Zion Baptist Church, First New Testament Baptist Church, Greater Zionfield Baptist Church, Little Zion Baptist Church, Household of Faith, Healing Place Church, and Triumph Church are invited to attend the Funeral Services will be held at Temple of Praise, 1840 Commercial Drive, Harvey, Louisiana 70058, on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 10AM. Visitation will be from 8AM - 10AM. Internment: Westlawn Cemetery, Gretna, LA. Arrangements by Duplain W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 1020 Virgil Street, Gretna, Louisiana 70053. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, condolences to the family.