William Anthony Slatten's Obituary
William Anthony Slatten on Sunday February 26, 2006 at 10:15 A.M after a long and courageous bout with cancer. Billy was 66 years of age, a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans, LA. Beloved husband of Alma de Arrigunaga Slatten.; Son of Cecilia Bisso Slatten and the late James E. Slatten; Father of William A. Slatten, Jr. of Covington, LA, Scott Tappan Slatten of New Orleans, LA, and Elizabeth Slatten Healy, of Covington, LA; Brother of Mary Elizabeth Slatten of New Orleans, LA and the late James E. Slatten, Jr. and Cecilia LeBreton Slatten; Grandfather of William A. Slatten, III, Andrew Montgomery Slatten, Laura Elizabeth Slatten, Allison Edrington Slatten, Katherine Woodworth Slatten, Michael Bisso Slatten, Isabella Slatten Healy, William Dunbar Healy and Hyde Alford Healy.
Affectionately known as “Captain Billy”, he graduated from Alcee Fortier High School and attended Tulane University. He was Chairman and CEO of Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. and was a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master of Rivers, Unlimited Tonnage. He was also President of Slatten Realty Co. and served on the Board of Directors of the Intercontinental Corp., Hickory, N.C. and Covenant Underwriters, Ltd., Covington, LA.
A dedicated Republican, he served as the President of the Orleans Levee Board from 1980-84 under the administration of Governor David C. Treen and also served as the Vice-President of the Lower Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association during this same time period. In 1995, he was named the Maritime Person of the Year and received the C. Alvin Bertel Award from the World Trade Club after serving five years as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, including one year as the President of the Board.
In 1996, he and his wife Alma were honored by the Preservation Resource Center for their continued support. He was a dedicated supporter of various charities and schools, including St. Andrews Episcopal School, Louise S. McGehee School, Isidore Newman School, Christ Episcopal School and Trinity Episcopal School. A lifelong supporter of Tulane University and its athletics programs, he served on the Board of Administrators of Tulane University from 1992 – 2005 and was a member of the Paul Tulane Society. He Co-Chaired the Committee for Athletic Giving, 1987-1992 and also Chaired the National Steering Committee, Campaign for Tulane Athletics, 1995. In 2003, as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Board which undertook the review of Tulane Athletics and its future viability, he championed the continuance of Tulane as a Division 1-A program. In 2004, he received the inaugural William A. “Billy” Slatten Lifetime Achievement Award, named in his honor, from the Tulane University Athletics Department and was inducted into the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame.
He was a member of the Bienville Club, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of the War of 1812, Mallory Society, Round Table Club, Men’s Opera Club and several Carnival organizations. He was also a member of the Southern Yacht Club and the Pass Christian Yacht Club and a lifetime sponsor of Ducks Unlimited.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services on Thursday March 2, 2006 at 2:00 PM from Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington, LA. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Tulane Athletics Fund, James W. Wilson Athletics Center, New Orleans, LA 70118-5698. Interment will be private at a later date in Metairie Cemetery. E. J. Fielding Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
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