Antoine "Tony" Caillier, 87, of Orange, died March 17, 2010, at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father George Kidangen of St. Helen Catholic Church and Deacon Willie Posey of St. Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.
Visitation will be from 5-:00-9:00 p.m. and a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., Friday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Tony was born on June 13, 1922, in Arnaudville, Louisiana. He was the son of Elgee Caillier and Lydia Stelly. Tony was highly decorated by the U.S. Army during WWII making numerous beach landings with General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. He also owned and operated Veteran's Grocery for the past 65 years. Tony was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church and also a member of VFW and Disables American Veterans.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George Caillier and his wife, Sable, Jules Caillier and his wife, Lucille, Paul Caillier, Joe Caillier and Arestilde Caillier and his wife, Bernice; sisters, Lydia LaPorte and her husband, Joseph, Vivian Richard and her husband Albert, Odile Hebert and her husband Lawrence, Emily Roberts and her husband Upton; and brother-in-law, Horace Cormier.
Tony is survived by his wife of 61 years, Merle Caillier; children, Jackie Caillier and his wife, Karen, Katheryn Knox and her husband, Billy, Jerry Caillier and his wife, Denise and Ralph Caillier and his wife, Angie.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bryan and Jacqueline Caillier, Chrissy Sorge and her husband, Tracy, Jamie Latiolas and her husband, Trevor, Tyler Knox, Blake and Blaine Caillier, Bethany Smith, Rachel Clark and her husband, Pat, Jr., Ashley Thompson and her husband, Ryder, Zane Caillier and Jason Budd; great-grandchildren, Harlie Joe and Codie Sorge, Christan, Will, Jack and Abby Clark, and Ryker Thompson; sister, Marie Cormier; and sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Caillier and Joyce Caillier.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Bryan Caillier, Blake Caillier, Blaine Caillier, Tyler Knox, Zane Caillier and Tracy Sorge. Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny Lee Callier, Dudley Caillier, Jason Budd, William Pattillo and Trevor Latiolas.
He will be missed by his family, friends and his longtime war buddy, Ed Cox.
The family would like to thank Odyssey Heath Care and nurse, Carol Campbell for all their help, understanding and exceptional care.