Bill Leger, 48, of Beaumont, died in an automobile accident Saturday, December 22, 2012. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 6, 1964. Bill attended elementary and junior high school in Crowley, Louisiana, and graduated from Kinder High School. Bill attended Louisiana State University where he graduated from the Manship School of Journalism, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.
Bill’s professional career began early when he was hired to work part-time at KSIG Radio in Crowley at the young age of 12. While on air, he lowered his voice to disguise his youth. After his family moved to Kinder, Louisiana, he worked on the radio in Oakdale, Louisiana, and as a weekend DJ at Fontenot’s Roller Rink in Kinder.
Before even obtaining his driver’s license, Bill began working at KEUN Radio and had to be chauffeured by his parents to the station for several months. While attending LSU, he was employed at KJJB Radio.
Bill’s work in television began at Fox 29 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He next reported for KFDM in Beaumont before becoming a news anchor at KATC, Channel 3, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Bill then served as a nightly news anchor at KFDM for eighteen years until his death. He was the unique combination of an investigative reporter and news anchor.
Bill garnered several prestigious awards during his long career at KFDM. His pride was the Emmy for news coverage during and after Hurricane Rita and his Edward R. Murrow Award. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his service to the Boy Scouts of America.
Bill is remembered for his selfless gifts of time and talent to a wide variety of charities. It was a rare week that he did not act as a master of ceremonies at a benefit for a worthwhile organization, such as the Children’s Miracle Network, the Julie Rogers Gift of Life, the Hughen Center, Buckner’s Children’s Home, and Catholic Charities, among many others.
Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia “Tecoo” Saucier Leger; daughters, Tatum Leger and Victoria “Tori” Leger; parents, Kathryn and Stanley Leger; sister, Rita Leger Rush and her husband, Jason; aunt, Rita Faye Leger, who was also his next-door neighbor; aunt and godmother, Sherry Fournet Holmes and her husband, Bruce; aunt, Mary Sue Fontenot and her husband, Donald; as well as a host of much-loved cousins and friends.
A gathering of Mr. Leger’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Rosary, Tuesday, December 25, 2012, at Ardoin Funeral Home of Kinder, 438 North 8th Street, Kinder, Louisiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 26, 2012, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 607 4th Avenue, Kinder, Louisiana, with Reverend Carlos Garcia officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty Cemetery, Elton, Louisiana, with Stuart Sepaugh, Bob Fruge, John Odom, Karl Rougeau, Roger Fontenot, Scott Lawrence, Sam Moure, and Fred Faulkner serving as pallbearers.
A Memorial Mass for Mr. Leger will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2012, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys, Beaumont, with a reception immediately following in the Family Life Center at St. Jude until 1:00 p.m., under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bill Leger Children’s Educational Fund, c/o DuPont Goodrich Federal Credit Union, 7505 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77708.
