William Joseph (Billy) Liberto, Sr., 90, passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on February 15, 2026.
Born in Alexandria, on March 22, 1935, to Charles and Viola Liberto, William attended Bolton High School, where he was a standout on the baseball, football, basketball, and track teams. After graduating, the right-handed pitcher signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was assigned to the Shawnee Hawks of the Dodgers farm system. He was promoted to the Union City Dodgers, in Union City, TN, where he married his high school sweetheart, Sammie Jean Stroup. After four years in the minors, William and Sammie returned home to start a family.
Back in Alexandria, William worked as a salesman for Firestone and later managed the contract sales department for Sears & Roebuck. In the early 1980’s, he entered the restaurant industry as a franchisee of Stark’s family restaurant, and later Dairy Queen. With the help of his wife and children, he owned and operated multiple DQ restaurants across Central Louisiana and also brought the Bless Your Heart franchise to Alexandria. He was elected to and served on the Rapides Parish School Board and was a high school football referee for many years.
Family was the most important thing in his life, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. William’s favorite hobbies included fishing, gardening, woodworking, and watching sports. A long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, William assisted on many church projects and in his later years enjoyed his time as a member of the church choir.
William is preceded in death by his father, Charles Liberto, Sr.; his mother Viola Liberto, his wife, Sammie Jean Liberto, daughter, Kathy Liberto Richardson, daughter, Tammy Liberto Fearrand, brother, Charles Liberto, Jr., sister Patricia Liberto, sister, Janelle Liberto Hendrix, and wife, Dorothy Corley Liberto.
Those left to cherish his memory include daughter, Cheryl Liberto Sooter (Rod), son, William Liberto, Jr.; grandchildren, Ricky Richardson (Stephanie), Danielle Liberto, Tiffany Herrington, Michael Fearrand, Jr. (Sydney), Gabrielle Liberto Moss (Matthew); stepdaughter, Tracy Ryder (Butch), stepson, Don Corley, Jr. (Dana); many nieces, nephews, and dearly beloved great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in Crowell Chapel at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, 2727 Jackson Street, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m, with Reverend Kennon Pickett officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Honorary pallbearers include Rod Sooter, Lawyer Richardson, Kayne Richardson, Judah Richardson, Dylon Feazell, Logan Feazell, and Butch Ryder.
In lieu of flowers, the ever-frugal William would rather you save your money. However, if you insist, please consider making a donation to the First United Methodist Church of Alexandria.