“MITCH” WILLIAM HENRY MITCHELL
Sept. 29, 1946-Oct. 24, 2017
William Henry Mitchell was born Sept. 29, 1946, to E.C. and Lois Collins Mitchell, the youngest of seven children. He passed away at 71 at The Oaks in Shreveport Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, from Alzheimer’s. He leaves behind an incredible legacy.
That legacy included a big family. He married Nancy Raiford, the love of his life, 35 years ago and together they multiplied. Children include Leslie Kroeger and husband Chad of Stuart, Fla., James and wife Nina of Franklin, Tenn., Jonathan and wife Karla of Los Angeles, Calif., Joshua and wife Hallie of Franklin, Tenn., Jarred of Nashville, Tenn., Audra of Shreveport, Jordan of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Arianna of Shreveport, and three boys still at home Justus, Joel and Jaden of Bossier City. He was also a proud granddad to eight. They are Taylor and Jake Kroeger, Jameson and Siena Mitchell, Eli Mitchell and Caitlyn, Lucy and Liam Mitchell. Mitch also dearly loved his sister-in-law, Patti Raiford Lann, who helped care for him during his illness.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Jerome and Carolyn.
He is survived by sisters, Lavonne of Shreveport, Linda of Alexandria and Velora of Hornbeck; brother, Elton (Pat) of Santa Fe, Tenn.; sister-in-law; Theda (Jerome) of Mansfield; and many nieces and nephews. Mitch was born and raised in Many and received a B.S. in Zoology and an MBA, both from NSU. He was an accomplished singer and songwriter. He had his first hit single while still in high school and charted with Hey Baby and I’ll Never. His never boring career led him to two movie rolls, Mountain Top Motel Massacre (1982) and Aurora Encounter (1985). Mitch also spent many years in sales and consulting in the automotive industry.
One of the final projects he worked on was creating and directing a television series that aired on PBS from 2009-14 called Legends and Lyrics. It was a tremendous accomplishment of which he was very proud. He was never afraid to chase his dreams and follow his passions. He had a larger than life personality of which each one of his children inherited a part.
A visitation will be at Rose Neath Funeral home on Marshall Street, Shreveport, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.
There will also be a visitation Friday, Nov. 3 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and the funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. Both will be at Fly Church of Nazarene Church in Santa Fe, Tenn.
The family wishes to acknowledge the love and care he received from The Oaks of Louisiana and Dr. April Patton and Dr. David Henry.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.missionvoicenetwork.org or www.eternalfamilyproject.org
