Leo J. Lay Sr. passed away on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at 7:18 a.m. at his residence at age 88. A native of New Orleans and a resident of Destrehan for the past 16 years. An accountant for Haspel Brother Manufacturing Company and Yvonne Lefleur Boutique. A Technical Sargent with the Seventhth Headquarters Detachment in the United States Army in World War II. He participated in the Rhineland, Germany, and Central Europe Campaign in France and Germany while receiving both the Good Conduct Ribbon and KAME Ribbon. HQ CO 809th Tank Destroyer Battalion from Camp Robinson, Ark. He was Catholic.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years Inez Joy Hoefeld Lay of Destrehan, three sons Leo J. Lay Jr. of Destrehan, Gary M. Lay and his wife Icel of Marrero and Kevin A. Lay and his wife Debra of Las Vegas, two daughters Patricia A. Watson and her husband Johnny of Orange Beach, Ala., and Karen M. Krieger and her husband Lloyd of Ponchatoula, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by parents Sidney Joseph Lay and Marguerite Lamarque Lay, five brothers James, Frank, Sidney, Herbert and Sidney, three sisters Rita, Marguerite and Effie and two grandchildren Mary Etheridge and Christina Krieger.

Visitation and services were held on Monday, Feb. 16, at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan. Interment followed in the St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans. The family invites you to share your thoughts and fond memories in the Guest Book at: www.mem.com.