Port Barre – Mr. Gene Witt Traylor, 88, of Port Barre, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Opelousas.

Mr. Traylor was born in Houston, Texas, and moved with his family as a young boy to Louisiana, He graduated from Port Barre High School and went on to serve his country proudly in the United States Air Force, for a time in England and Japan. He worked 20 years for Grimmett, Janes and Traylor, then another 30-plus years as a truck driver, traveling to all but two states.

His favorite thing to do was drive his pick up truck. He never turned down an invitation to eat out, he enjoyed coffee at Kings Truck Stop. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Port Barre, serving as a deacon and former treasurer; he was also a former board member of Acadian Baptist Center. At 6-foot-5, he often had strangers stop and ask him how tall he was.  

He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Traylor, Nancy Fountain, and Lisa Wilson and husband, Doug; sister, Sue Devillier; 5 grandchildren, Timothy Fountain, Phillip Fountain and wife, Jordan, Rachel Fountain, Daniel Wilson and Jade Wilson; and 1 great-granddaughter, Nora Elise Fountain.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Virgie LeJeune Traylor; parents, Wallace and Garnet Traylor; brother, Barney Traylor; and son-in-law, David Fountain.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew and loved him. The family would like to thank Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their wonderful support and care. A memorial service will be held later. He will be laid to rest at Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the First Baptist Port Barre Building Fund or to Acadiana Baptist Center, http://www.abccamp.com .

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Port Barre.