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William Andre Droulia, age 71, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2014 in Moorestown, New Jersey surrounded by his loving family and devoted caregivers. Billy, as he was known to his family and numerous friends, was convalescing in New Jersey following a stroke suffered in 2012 during a Thanksgiving visit with his family to his beloved Acorn Farm in Jobstown, New Jersey. Billy was born in New York City, New York on November 6, 1942. From early childhood, he resided continuously in New Orleans. Billy was a thoroughbred racing and breeding enthusiast conducting his operations under the colors of Acorn Farm. As a horseman, he followed in the footsteps of his mother, Virginia Helis Droulia, who founded the Acorn Farm Stable, and his grandfather and uncle, William G. Helis, Sr. and William G. Helis, Jr., both famed horsemen. He was also an accomplished sailor, successfully participating in many sailing yacht races. At the time of his death, Billy was employed in his family's business, primarily focusing on The Helis Stock Farm. His business career also included stints as an investment broker in both local and international investment firms. Billy was most widely known for his notable preservations and restorations of many historic properties within the Vieux Carré of New Orleans. His projects were distinguished by their remarkable sensitivity to the historic integrity of the properties. Time after time, he overcame construction obstacles to preserve and restore properties to their former grandeur but with modern functions. So outstanding were his projects that he was honored by the Vieux Carré Commission with numerous awards for significant achievement, including multiple awards in a single year for different projects. He is survived by his wife, Karen Dawn Droulia, of New Orleans; his children, Lorraine Abercrombie (John) of Houston, Texas, Gabriel Droulia of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, George Droulia of Irvine, California, and, Veronica Droulia of Scott, Louisiana; his grandson, Phillip Droulia of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and his cousin, Cassandra Marie Helis, and her children, John William and Marika Citro, all of Los Angeles, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Helis Droulia of New Orleans, Louisiana and George Andre Droulia of New York City and Athens, Greece. Private Catholic burial services were conducted at Metairie Cemetery on March 15, 2014 with the Very Reverend Paul H. Desrosiers presiding. Remembrances may be made to your preferred charities. Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home of Metairie was in charge of arrangements.
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Bill, just remembering the great times we had with friends you are with like, Jack Argote, Jimmy Swindle, Charlie Graves to name a few. Miss you and save a place at the bar for me.
Bill Burt
Friend
March 11, 2021
Bill you are truely missed. Im still looking for Karen/Dawn. I want to know is she alright. Please tell her to contact me.
Shamika Bryant
Daughter
March 11, 2019
One day in the late 1980s, I was at Storyville visiting with my dear friend, Bill. For some reason, we decided to do a "watermelon test" to find out what type of booze was best when injected into a melon. Bill and I walked across the street to the French Market and bought 4 or five fairly large melons and brought them back to Storyville and put them on the bar. We proceeded to try all types of booze in them including vodka, gin, rum, etc. After about an hour or so, yes, we were truly "schnockered" and we were both able to agree that gin was best. I'll always remember that. Good times with Bill. RIP my friend.
Bob Vernon
Friend
March 11, 2019
A brilliant man, that taught me so much. I am still figuring out what a lot of the things he shared with me really meant till this day. I use to ask him, Bill how did your family become so successful, how did they endure it all? At the time, the answer that was given, seemed a bit unrealistic, but boy o boy was he ever right. I remember the Aera..Greek for (Wind).. 816 Burgundy was our play pen.. 1200 block of Bourbon was where we worked. I tell ya, this guy had a keen eye for achitecture and should have been a demolitionist.. (lol)any way, May you continue to rest in Peace Billy Boy.. You are forever missed.
Your friend,
Peanut
WG Clemons
August 28, 2017
Dawn I miss you and Love you!! If you ever read this just know I been looking for you for 5yrs now and I'm worried sick. Email me at [email protected]. I'm sorry for your lost and Bill and you will always have a place n my heart. Yall were both like parents to me. My politically correct parents as you always use to say. LOL
Love Always, Your Daughter!!!
Shamika Bryant
November 9, 2016
Dawn, you don't know me but I ran around with Bill back in the
'60's. All I can say is that he was full of life and definitely lived on the wild side. He is now with many of our friends in the greatest reunion imaginable. Party on my friend.
Bill Burt
October 20, 2016
I met Bill when he opened Storyville Jazz! It was a happening fun place! For a while they would have a huge pig roast on Sundays during the summer! Bill also rented me a series of apartments in the French quarter, when I was late with the rent, he said if you had the money I know you would give it to me, don't worry! He was a sweet and lovely man, I will always miss him! XOX
Janet deFee
October 11, 2016
Bill was a kind and gentle man who I met in the late 80's by accident after his cousin's store on Maple St. was broken into. I was walking to Riverbed to have lunch and he was standing in front of the store with a huge rifle like an Ernest Hemingway getting ready to hunt big game! I found this enormously amusing. He then was very supportive of me and my goals in life and helped me through a difficult emotional time. I will always remember Bill in this way. God Bless his soul.
November 20, 2015
i'll always remember the great parties on the boat. What fine looking women he hired!
Red Dick
October 30, 2015
Dearest Dawn - just found out about Bill, I have been out of the loop. Wanted to send you good wishes and add my name to the list of folks that loved Bill. He was a hoot! Prayers for you, Kiwi Kerry
October 26, 2015
Janet deFee
May 14, 2015
Peace be with you, Bill....you are truly missed.
Jaxon Davies
February 8, 2015
Bill was a good guy. I loved him very much. He will be missed. RIP, you earned it.
Bob Vernon
January 13, 2015
Dawn .... this is shamika ... I can't believe bill is gone.... I was trying to find you guys for the last 3 years... And I stumbled across this and my heart is so heavy right now... Please find me Dawn ... I know you can ... Me and the girls are worried about you ... Find me or Sara on Face book ... Tahoney Pamon
December 8, 2014
Just learned of Mr Droulias' passing. I was very saddened to learn this. I once worked on the family farm...love the farm and wish now to thank Mr Droulia and his family. Mr Droulia, give "the skipper" a love pat for me!
Joseph Martin
September 17, 2014
I'm sure Spot and Gammon are by your side....say hello to Slim for me too.
John Kareores
September 1, 2014
Bill was a dear friend and I am sorry for his passing. God speed William....yasoo!
John Kareores
September 1, 2014
I'm so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. Bill was such a dear friend to my husband John Skip Rapp. The last time I saw Bill was at Skip's funeral in August 2005. I have so many fond memories from so long ago. They both shared the same birthday. May you rest in peace Bill. My thoughts and prayers for the Family.
Sincerely, Dianne Rapp
June 28, 2014
it was nice to know you
tom
June 6, 2014
It was only today, and with sadness, that I learned of Billy's passing. I will always appreciate his kindness, courtesy, and friendliness whenever our paths would cross. My deepest sympathy is extended to the entire family on your great personal loss.
Gail Sensebe
May 3, 2014
Bill lived life to the fullest. Very kind and caring. You will always be in my memories. love you, Kimmi
kimberley borne
April 30, 2014
Prayers for the family... Truly a beautiful man... loved to see him grin... will be greatly missed ... rest in peace my friend...
Michelle Chatelain
April 4, 2014
thank you Bill for all the beauty you brought into this world. you will be sadly missed by all who knew you.
dianne weatherly
April 3, 2014
To and old friend that I missed and now will always miss,,ty for all the good times and memories Bill,,peace
Dave Parmelee
March 31, 2014
To Dawn, Lorraine, and all the other family members, my condolences. I am sure Bill is cruising the heavenly seas aboard his new Aera, makimg sure everybody is happy. I am out of the country and just learned of his passing
mike keiffer
March 31, 2014
my uncle bill was the most quiet and tenderhearted guy I knew he was always there for my aunt Karen dawn and the family he was a very successful man in life YOUR FAMILY MISSES AND LOVES YOU YOUR NEWPHEW Donald ETHRIDGEIII-Pope
Donald Ethridge-Pope
March 26, 2014
Going to miss this man so much. Words cannot express my sorrow. RIP my friend...
Missy Martin
March 21, 2014
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Staff of Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home
March 21, 2014
Bill had a brilliant mind and a big heart.
I was proud and fortunate to call him freind.
Peter Giacona
March 21, 2014
To Dawn and the Droulia family - My deepest sympathies. I am sure Bill was welcomed into heaven by his good friend Melvin!
Marie Miele
March 19, 2014
I want to keep bill alive..i know alot of yall only knew him 1 way...there are hundreds that he helped xxxooo erin
erin byrne
March 18, 2014
GOD SPEED BILL.. PLEASE HOLD THE DOOR OPEN FOR ME!! THIS TIME IT BEAUTIFUL ISNT IT?? I LOVE YOU> I WILL SOOOOO MISS YOU> SAY "HEY" TO SARA AND MELVIN FOR ME BOO. xxooo erin
erin byrne
March 18, 2014
May positive light, energy and peace, surround ALL of Bill's loved ones at this time of sorrow. Bill was a caring and loving person and he enjoyed helping others. Rest in peace my friend. Sherri L. Magness
March 18, 2014
Sincere sympathy.
Zide Bowers Jahncke
March 18, 2014
To Dawn and Family. You have My Deepest Sympathy and Heartfelt Condolences during this difficult time. Bill was a wonderful and heart giving person. I came to New Jersey to work for him from New Orleans with Thomas Peters. I am still in New Jersey since 1996 thanks to him. He was a Man among Men and will truly be missed.
Welton Smith
March 17, 2014
With fond memories and prayers.
The Rev'd Travers Koerner
Christ Church Cathedral
New Orleans
Travers Koerner
March 17, 2014
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