J.C. Willie's Obituary
Julius C. Willie, age 88, a resident of Folsom, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Lillie Bruhl Willie; his three daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanie Willie Mizell and husband Jim, Jennifer Willie Galloway, and Jody Willie Crowe and husband Talbert. He was a proud Paw Paw to six grandchildren: Lexie Mizell, Sarah Mizell Ayers, Drew Mizell, Tanya Crowe Wade and husband Cody, Cody Crowe and wife Victoria, and Bailey Galloway Roussel and husband Cameron. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Ezra and Hattie Ayers, Paul and Andi Roussel, and Laura Mae Crowe.
He is further survived by four sisters and brothers-in-law: Joyce Adams, Rochelle Jones, Barbara Hood and husband Sidney, and Peggy Small and husband Mike.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Clyde Willie and Quida Blackwell Willie; his parents-in-law, Sidney Bruhl and Vera Bryant Bruhl; his sister, Mildred Willie Waskom; his granddaughter, Brittany Galloway; and his son-in-law, Texx Galloway.
J.C. graduated from Covington High School in 1955 and went on to complete the Louisiana State Police Training Academy in 1959. He later graduated from the Louisiana State University Law Enforcement Institute in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1975. Throughout his career, he attended numerous advanced law enforcement and management training programs.
Commissioned as a Louisiana State Trooper in 1959, J.C. began a distinguished career at Troop L in Covington and steadily rose through the ranks over nearly three decades of dedicated service. By 1970, he was appointed Executive Officer of Troop L. In 1974, he was promoted to Captain of the State Police Training Academy in Baton Rouge. He later served as Region I Major in 1976 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of Staff of the Office of State Police in 1977. In 1983, J.C. reached the pinnacle of his public service career when he was promoted to Colonel, assuming responsibility for all State Police operations.
A charter member of the Louisiana State Troopers Association, J.C. was elected its first President in 1970. He was also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Louisiana Peace Officers Association, the International Personnel Management Association, the Louisiana Personnel Council, and the Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association.
Following his retirement from the Louisiana State Police, J.C. was appointed in 1992 by Governor Edwin Edwards to serve as Deputy Director of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. In recognition of his leadership and lasting contributions, the Commission honored him on September 16, 2009, with the dedication of its new state office building, officially named The J.C. Willie Building. He retired from that position in 2012.
Above all else, J.C. was a man of deep and abiding faith whose life was guided by God’s love, humility, and service. He cherished his wife and family beyond measure and found his greatest joy in time spent with those he loved, sharing God’s word and His everlasting promise. His steady presence, unwavering devotion, and gentle strength will forever live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.
Pallbearers will be Drew Mizell, Cody Crowe, Talbert Crowe, Cody Wade, Chris Waskom, and Jeff Waskom.
Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Bruhl, Johnny Bruhl, Blake Bruhl, Brett Bruhl, and Cameron Roussel.
In lieu of flowers, and in accordance with J.C.’s wishes, donations may be made to Red Bluff Baptist Church, where he was a devoted member.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Red Bluff Baptist Church, 15204 LA-1078 Folsom, Louisiana 70437 on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will take place following the service at Bruhl Cemetery.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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