Billy Orr

Louie was born in Coffeeville, TX and graduated from Gilmer High School in 1940. He joined the US Army Air Corps in January 1941 and in 1943 married Francys Pettey of Nacogdoches.

Louie was honorably discharged in November 1945 as a First Sergeant. Following military service, he moved with his family to Nederland, TX where he managed a construction company and then worked as a real estate appraiser for First Federal Savings and Loan in Beaumont, TX, and later for the Urban Renewal Program in Port Arthur, TX.

Along the way, Louie earned the esteemed Realtor certification. In 1973 he accepted a position with the Florida Department of Transportation in Jacksonville, FL and in 1976 he moved to Lake City, FL when he was promoted to serve as the District Appraiser for the Lake City Transportation District.

During these engagements, Louie earned a reputation for a tireless work ethic and an attention to detail that were respected by his colleagues and which marked him as a true professional at his craft. Louie was an avid relic hunter, enjoyed NASCAR racing and was a faithful fan of the Nederland Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves, Dallas Cowboys and after moving to Florida, the Florida State Seminoles.

Following his retirement from the State of Florida in 1987, he relocated to Ocala, FL in 1997. He was preceded in death in 2000 by his wife of 58 years, Francys.

Louie is survived by his two sons, L.N. Orr of Ocala, FL, Col. (Ret) Bill Orr of Fairfax Station, VA, his brother Harold Orr of Katy, TX, two grand-children, Brian Orr of Fairfax Station, VA and Dr. Jennifer Hoffman of Alexandria, VA, and three great-grand-children, Roxanne Orr of Nashville, TN, Gabrielle Orr of Cullman, AL and Benjamin Hoffman of Alexandria, VA.

Services honoring Louie’s life will be held Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Attendees are asked to convene at the funeral home for a procession to Sunset Memorial Park where a graveside service and interment will take place.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Louie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.