Wilhelmina "Willie" Clarice Breitweiser Pickett

Wilhelmina Clarice Breitweiser, born on January 14, 1940, in Benton, Arkansas, was the daughter of Hubbard and Polly Breitweiser. Surrounded by her family at home, she became free from illness, tears, and pain on October 9, 2025.

She grew up in a loving, nurturing Christian home. She graduated from Benton High School in 1957 and later from Arkansas Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1960, becoming an RN. Her nursing career spanned over five decades. Throughout her career, she worked at various institutions, with Occupational Health Nursing emerging as her preferred specialty. She dedicated herself to this field at LAAP and UOP. In 1991, she was honored as the Louisiana Occupational Health Nurse of the Year.

She served as the church organist in several churches, most notably at FBC Doyline for 35 years. She also sang in choirs and ensembles and actively participated in almost every Southern Baptist committee and office imaginable. Her service extended to her Village of Doyline as an alderman.

Willie maintained an active lifestyle. She exercised regularly and voluntarily taught exercise classes at LAAP and Doctor’s Hospital. After retirement, she became the water aerobics instructor at the Minden Rec Center until 2020.

Willie was a multifaceted woman. Her passion for lakes & boating led her to enjoy years of service in the Aqua Katz Water Ski Club. She was also crowned “Queen Wilhelmina” in the Doyline Red Hatters group, which later became known as “The Thursday Lunch Bunch.” She cherished the opportunity to gather with these lovely women and enjoy meals together. She learned to play the mountain dulcimer with “Jerry’s Babes” of Minden. At one point, she tried learning to play the guitar because, after all, her name was “Willie Nelson” for a while. Willie loved the Lord, cars, dining out, fashion, Diet Coke, Dillard’s, watching football on TV, the colors red and “leopard,” Mexican food, music, sunbathing, beauty shop appointments, taking pictures, traveling, decorating, red roses, Facebook, her extensive Dept. 56 Original Snow Village collection, all things Christmas, hosting gatherings, and time spent with family and friends. She was brilliant, curious, strong, independent, patient, merciful, sacrificial, honorable, beautiful, a fashionista, a conversationalist, and always ready to get in the car & go.

Above all, Willie’s greatest love and service lay in her Lord and her family. The love of her life and husband of almost 30 years, Bob Pickett, introduced Willie to cattle, farms, horses, “the boxcar”, driving hours to find great restaurants, and a huge loud family of Picketts and Adcocks. She was a sacrificial and doting mother, spoiling Liz just a bit but also making sure she knew Jesus and loved people. She loved her grands & greats immensely.

Preceding her in death were her parents Hubbard & Polly; her husband Bob Pickett; and her brother Carl Wayne Breitweiser. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Liz (Paul) Wilson; “just like a daughter” Judy (Mitch) Burge; stepson Rusty (Janice) Nelson of Minden; stepson Bobby (Janie) Pickett of Winter Springs, FL; granddaughter Kimberlee Wilson & partner Josh Sykes of Heflin, LA; grandson John Wayne (Caitlin) Wilson of Doyline, LA; great-grands Brayden & Bristol Macks of Pensacola, FL, and Evelyn Ruth & Madelyn Jane Wilson of Doyline, LA; sister Janelle (Gerald) Haley of Benton, AR; brother Paul Allen (Dana) Breitweiser of Benton, AR; sister-in-law Karen (Gerald) Grace of Benton, AR; along with a large host of very dear cousins, nieces, and nephews; and innumerable precious friends.

The family expresses their deep gratitude and love to our helpmate along this journey, Janet Vance. Also, to Dr. Leslie Sewell and our Compassus team.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 18, 11am, with the celebration of life immediately following at 1:00pm, with Bro. Steve Kelly officiating, at Kilpatrick Rose Neath in Minden, LA. Willie will be laid to rest at the Doyline Cemetery, with Dr. Gene Gibson officiating.

The family is grateful to the gentlemen honoring her as pallbearers: Mitch Burge, Randy Clemons, Rusty Nelson, Ben Pepper, Roger Reeves, and James Wilson.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Compel Outreach International, for the Compel Crosby Orphanage, PO Box 210, Haughton, LA 71037, (or their website compeloi.org) or to the donor’s favorite charity.