Joel O'Neal Soileau

Joel O'Neal Soileau, 81, of Port Neches, Texas died Friday, November 14, 2014 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. Joel was born on June 19, 1933 to Ariel and Melicia Soileau in Ville Platte, Louisiana. After graduating high school and one year at Hinds Junior College in Raymond, Mississippi, Joel served two years in the Marine Corps. In 1956 Joel entered Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor Degree in Education. He then moved to Port Neches with his wife, Freddie where he had a very successful coaching career at Thomas Edison Jr. High, Thomas Jefferson High School, Vidor High School, Hebert High School, and West Brook High School. He retired in 1999 after forty years of coaching. Joel is survived by his wife of 57 years, Freddie Boyd Soileau of Port Neches, Texas; daughter, Diane May and husband Vic of Port Neches, Texas; two granddaughters, Lauren Abbott and husband Kyle of Port Neches, Texas; Victoria May and fiance' Cxadi Angus of Lake Jackson, Texas. He is also survived by sisters, Jeanette Polson and husband Buddy of Many, Louisiana; Geneva Limoges and husband Jim of Ville Platte, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 17, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Port Neches with Dr. David Mahfouz officiating under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home Port Neches. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until time of service 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund PO Box 36, Port Neches, Texas 77651.