June 21, 1937 – September 30, 2025
Winford Eugene Belgard passed peacefully into his eternal Heavenly Home on September 30, 2025, at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, LA. Winford was 88 years old and was the seventh of nine children born to Elmers Joel and Florence Wiley Belgard.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 4, 2025, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville, Louisiana, with Reverends Ricky Belgard and Steve Speer officiating. Interment will follow in the Big Island Baptist Church Cemetery in Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, October 3, 2025, and at 10:00 AM on Saturday preceding the funeral service.
Winford was a tireless worker who began working full-time while still a teenager and held several jobs. He particularly enjoyed driving trucks. But these were just “jobs” for Winford. His real career began in 1968 when he answered God’s call, becoming an Ordained Baptist Minister; The ministry and more particularly being a “Pastor” was his true life calling. Winford or “Brother Belgard” as he was often addressed, was a dedicated pastor for 36 years, only retiring when his deteriorating vision and health prevented him from doing what he loved. Over his ministerial career, Winford pastored 8 churches in Central and South Central Louisiana, served as interim pastor at a few others, and officiated over many weddings and funerals. Gardening was always a big part of his family life, and he enjoyed sharing produce from the garden with friends and neighbors. Later in life, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life and brought him great joy and happiness. He particularly loved taking the great-grandchildren for rides around the property in the big yellow trailer, towing them on “Old Red”, his Honda 3-wheeler.
Winford enjoyed music, too. Winford loved gospel, bluegrass, and country music. He sang bass and, for several years in the 1960s, was a member of a gospel quartet that sang at local churches and revival services. Later in life, he spent many hours listening to his favorite songs and artists while resting in his living room recliner. The grandkids affectionately called his music “PawPaw music”!
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 69 years, Neva Reed Belgard; Siblings, Joyce Varnell, Glen A. Belgard (Rondella) and Kolin Belgard(Sandra); Children Wallace Belgard (Jenny) of Lawtey, FL, Sharon Jolly (Tim) of Deville, LA, and Daphane McCann (Kyle) of Zachary, LA; Grandchildren, Grant Jolly (Jessi), Sarah Jolly-Swift (Jake), Mackenzie Belgard Griffis (Michael), Joel Belgard (Keri) and James McCann (Taylor); Greatgrandchildren, Bruce Jolly, Angeline Jolly, Hannah-Beth Swift, Benjamin Swift, Adalyn Griffis, Avery Griffis, Samuel Griffis, Dottie McCann and Levi McCann.
Winford was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Dwight Belgard, Oneida Paulk, Winston Belgard, Nell Caulfield, and Aaron Alton (Bugs) Belgard.
Pallbearers will be Grant Jolly, Joel Belgard, James McCann, Jacob Swift, Michael Griffis, and Michael Belgard. Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle McCann, Tim Jolly, Wally Belgard, John George, and Adam Beaubouef. Alternate pallbearers, Keith Harmson and Brian Reed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in honor of Winford to Mission Dignity, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The family also thanks Compassionate Care Hospice for their loving care.