William C. Vandiver

SHREVEPORT, LA - Funeral services for William "Billy" C. Vandiver, Lieutenant Commander, US Navy, Retired of Shreveport, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Bro. Rocky Maddox, Bro. Steve Gilley, Bro. W.D. \"Step\" Martin, Bro. Jerry Davis, and Bro. Steve Angell will officiate. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 10^th at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Home. Burial services will follow on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 12 Noon at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, LA. Billy was born September 8, 1929 to Clifford S. And Mattie Phillips Vandiver in Foreman, Arkansas and died November 6, 2016. He was a member of Rose Park Baptist Church and formerly a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he was director of Adult 1 Sunday School Department for many years. He managed his rental property with the assistance of his grandsons, Craig and Eric Vandiver, and son-in-law Joseph Wildes. During his Navy career he participated in the Cuban crisis aboard destroyers; served during the Korean War in Japan; was in command of the Naval Reserve Training Center in Shreveport. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam. During the Tet Offensive he was in command of a contingent of Naval gunfire liaison team. He served in various billets aboard destroyers (navigator, gunnery officer, executive). During his enlisted years, some of his collateral activities were competitions in rifle marksmanship. He won the Atlantic Fleet Championship and competed in the national matches where he earned the "Distinguished Marksman Award." After his retirement from the U.S. Navy he served several years as the Manpower and Personnel Director for the City of Shreveport. Billy was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors are Mary Ann, his beloved wife of 67 years; his two sons, William "Cliff" C. Vandiver, Jr. (Connie), and Gary Vandiver of Alexandria, Virginia; his one daughter, Tammy Renee Vandiver Wildes (Joe); grandsons, Craig L., Eric, Paul and Scott Vandiver; granddaughters, Kari, Katie, Kaila, and Kelsey Wildes; great-grandsons, Adrian, Ian, Colby, Jaxon, Skylar, Blaze, Connor, Alex, Lucas, Liam, and Ezra; great-granddaughters, Elliott, Abbie, and Macy; sister, Carolyn Brown, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Craig, Eric, Adrian, Paul, and Scott Vandiver, Wes Moore, Joe Wildes, Dave Olden. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas LaCaze, Wayne Tidwell, and Ed Grantham. Cissy Majebe, Susan Shenfeld, Joe Dorobiala and Ferrell Owens are angels who brought joy and comfort to Billy and family at a most difficult time. Memorials may be made to Rose Park Baptist Church, 5560 Buncombe Road, Shreveport, LA 71129. "You have my whole heart for my whole life." Loved you yesterday! Love you still! Always have! Always will!