The Life of Louis Antoine Marks Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 5, 2008 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for William Ross Bullen, Jr.
Pastor Todd Menard will conduct the services.
Interment will take place in Holy Mary, Mother of God Cemetery.
After a long and beautiful life, the Lord has called William Ross “Bill” Bullen, Jr., 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, home to rest in eternal peace. Bill Bullen was born in Houston, Texas, on November 25, 1931, to William Ross Bullen, Sr., of Greenville, Tennessee, and Mary Louise McClanahan Bullen of Eagle Lake, Texas. He was a graduate of Lamar High School and the Rice Institute, both in Houston, Texas. After serving two years in the Navy, he was transferred by UNOCAL to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he met the love of his life, his wife of forty-eight years, Kathalyn “Kay” O’Connor Bullen. Together they raised four children, Chris, Billy, Jimbo and Anne, who have cherished memories of an idyllic childhood spent with their father, who patiently coached little league, read bedtime stories, taught them to play tennis and golf, helped them with their algebra homework and took them hunting and fishing throughout South Louisiana and beyond. He continued to have a close relationship with all of his children throughout his life.
Bill was blessed with eight beautiful grandchildren, Braden, Caty, Josh, Hannah, Morgan, Ethan, Sydney and Adriana. All of whom adored and were adored by their “Papa Bull,” who joyfully attended school programs, ball games, and dance recitals.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his daughter-in-law, Karen Brownlee Bullen, with whom he worked side by side for over fifteen years and who he loved as a daughter; his daughter-in-law, Loralee Lindquist Bullen, whom he loved dearly for making his son, Billy, so happy, and whose visits to Lafayette he enjoyed immensely; and Kimberly Larrison Bullen, who with her husband, Jimbo, cared for him so compassionately these past few years, and to whom the entire family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude; and his son-in-law, Andres Zornosa, whom he loved as a son and with whom he spent many happy hours playing chess and at the driving range.
After rising to the position of District Landman, he left UNOCAL to pursue a successful career as an Independent Oil Operator. Highlights of his career include being a Certified Professional Landman, discovering Manila Village and Orange Grove Fields, being the first landman in the State of Louisiana to be granted an oil and gas lease by the Audubon Society, being elected president of the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, being an honorary life member of the Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen, being considered as an expert witness in oil and gas litigation, and actively mentoring several generations of young landmen, including his own children, two of whom remain involved in the energy industry and are exceedingly proud to bear the same last name as their father.
Bill was on the board of directors of Oakbourne Country Club and the Lafayette Townhouse. He was a member of the Lafayette Geological Society, the Order of the Troubadours, Brigands de Lafitte and the Krewe of Gabriel.
Bill was a staunch advocate of education and a major benefactor of Cathedral Carmel Elementary School, Cathedral High School, Saint Thomas More High School, The Episcopal School of Acadiana and Rice University.
The family requests visiting hours be observed on Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and continue on Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Pallbearers will be his lifelong friends and associates, Joel Selber, James A. Whitson, Jr., Guyton Watkins, James P. Raymond, Floyd Domingue, Clyde Courtright, Dennis P. Gardner, C. Barry Greer and Edgar DeMontlazan.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Lower Hog Bayou Hunting Club, whom he loved as sons. They are Richard Brauns, Glenn Courville, Chris Harrell and David Mann.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.
