William Ivy Rochel

February 3, 1942 - September 23, 2020

Carencro - William "Bill" Rochel of Carencro, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, September 23 at the age of 78 after a brief battle with leukemia. He managed his illness with strength and grace and made sure his children knew how much love and pride he held for them. Bill Rochel was born in Patterson, Louisiana on February 3, 1942, to parents Howard Lee Rochel and Margaret Hale Rochel. One of six children, Bill was an alumnus of Patterson High School, where he was voted "Best Dancer" in his Senior year. After high school he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany for 4 years. He lived a large portion of his later life in the New Orleans area, where he enjoyed exploring the local eateries of Metairie and volunteering for the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, where every week he ran a popular interactive exhibit introducing children to tarantulas and other insects. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Peggy Rochel Mire and his brother Hale Rochel. He is survived by siblings Lee Rochel, Cary Rochel Rentrop, and Linda Rochel Crappell, his son Howard Rochel, his daughter, Shelley Rochel Rice and her husband, Patrick, and his son Allain Rochel; and beloved grandchild Elizabeth Rice, as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium in his name. Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.