Sidney Joseph Hotard Sr., age 85, died Thursday, Jan. 29, at his home in Ponchatoula.

Hotard was born Dec. 3, 1923, in LaPlace. He was a resident of Reserve and Convent before moving to Ponchatoula. He was a WWII veteran having served in the Army Air Corp and was a lifetime member of the Lutcher VFW. Many residents of the River Parishes depended on Mr. Hotard and the Hotard Bus Line for their transportation to New Orleans. He was also an employee of Krauss Department Store for 38 years before retiring in 1988.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Dorothy Vicknair Hotard and their five children and spouses: sons Sidney Jr. and Marie Nelson Hotard, Lawton and Anita Ernst Hotard and Callen and Coleen Martin Hotard; and daughters Nadine and Daryl Higgins and Rhenda and Paul Hodnett. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one brother Henry Hotard and two sisters Marie Hotard Sutton and Rita Hotard.

Preceded in death by his parents Etienne X. Hotard and Regina Simon Hotard, two brothers Albert Hotard and Etienne Hotard and two sisters Amanda Hotard Audiffred and Lucille Hotard Williamson.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponchatoula, followed by funeral services at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter cemetery in Reserve.

In lieu of flowers, masses or donations to St. Joseph Hospice, 19405 Helenberg Rd., Suite 206, Covington, LA 70433, are preferred.