Billy Wayne LaCasse of The Villages, FL passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on June 13, 2026. Billy Wayne, or the ‘Ragin’ Cajun’ as he was known to his many friends, was born on June 5, 1948, in Crowley, LA. He was the second child and oldest son of Charlie and Thelma LaCasse and grew up in Lake Charles, LA. One of his proudest childhood achievements was becoming an Eagle Scout, which provided the character foundation for the rest of his life. On June 9, 1972, Billy Wayne married the love of his life Penny Jean; a union which lasted for 54 years until his death. After moving from MI 12 years ago, they have been living their best lives in The Villages, FL.

After starting his career at the Lake Charles Kmart store Billy Wayne was promoted in 1969 to begin working at Kmart International Headquarters (KIH) in Troy, MI. Although moving north was a scary prospect for the ‘Ragin Cajun’ who had never left Louisiana, he packed up his Chevelle with all his belongings and headed to MI to start a new life. Billy Wayne spent a total of 35 years at Kmart, finishing his career as the Director of Advertising and Sales for Sporting Goods and Automotive. He loved his job, but he loved the people he worked with and his Franklin Planner even more. If it wasn’t in the planner, then it didn’t exist! Billy Wayne was the man with the ready smile, always eager to help and to provide words of encouragement even in the toughest of times. These were the tenets of his life and extended far beyond his work.

Prior to retirement, Billy Wayne enjoyed traveling with his family, coaching basketball when his kids were young, and working in his yard/garage. Post retirement in The Villages he was the VP of the Louisiana Club for many years, an avid member of the Michigan Club and enjoyed many rounds of shuffleboard and golf, along with dancing whenever there was music. He was also known by his neighbors for his eagerness to cut their lawns and bring their newspapers to their doors early in the morning; always with a big smile and positive words.

Billy Wayne is survived by his wife Penny; his children Shawn LaCasse and Charles LaCasse (Beth); his siblings Linda Brocato, Pat Blessington (Howard), Brenda Landon, Debbie LaCasse and Thomas LaCasse (Mary); his four grandchildren Alexandria, Ava, Joseph and Benjamin; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his father Charlie LaCasse, mother Thelma LaCasse, and his in-laws Carl and Dorothy Olson, who were also like parents to him.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood, Florida on July 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life for Billy Wayne will follow at Big Cypress Recreation Center in The Villages, Florida.