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William Broadhurst Obituary

Funeral services for longtime Louisiana attorney, lobbyist and political adviser William C. Broadhurst will be held at 10AM on Friday, June 2, at First United Methodist Church of Crowley. A private burial will be held at Woodlawn Mausoleum. Mr. Broadhurst died May 21, 2017 unexpectedly in his sleep at his family home in Crowley, Louisiana. He was 77. Born in Crowley to Marian Lewis Broadhurst and Robert C. Broadhurst, Sr. on December 31, 1939, William "Bill" Broadhurst was highly respected as a gifted attorney, skilled negotiator, trusted political advisor and effective lobbyist. His knowledge and integrity are legendary, and for nearly 60 years he worked alongside Louisiana's top political leaders, including Governor Edwin W. Edwards. "Billy had a natural ability for understanding and relating to people and effectively addressing some of the most complicated political issues," Edwards said in an interview with USA Today Network. "He was instrumental in helping with the (1973-74) Constitutional Convention." Broadhurst served as President of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System (1980), as well as the first chairman of the board of the Louisiana CAJUNDOME Commission (1985), and on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Lafayette, Louisiana. He was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association and the board of trustees of the First United Methodist Church of Crowley. Broadhurst attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, followed by Louisiana State University and LSU Law School, where he earned his law degree in 1961. Thereafter, he began a distinguished legal career as an attorney with the law firm of Edwards and Edwards (Edwin W. Edwards and Nolan J. Edwards). In 1965 the firm became known as Edwards, Edwards and Broadhurst. In 1975 Broadhurst was appointed chief counsel to the State of Louisiana Division of Natural Resources and Energy, Department of Conservation. Two years later, he became founding partner of Broadhurst, Brook, Mangham and Hardy law firm in Lafayette, Louisiana. The firm expanded to Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., representing corporate clients in complex commercial cases and concentrating in matters of banking, oil & gas exploration, environmental litigation, newspapers, food industry, intrastate and interstate gas pipelines, regulatory law, real estate law and lobbying. Broadhurst served as general counsel for First National Bank (FNB) of Lafayette, Trans Louisiana Gas Distribution Company, and as Louisiana general counsel for The Williams Companies in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He pioneered the Lignite Mining Law in Louisiana as the chief redactor and lobbyist for successful passage of the Louisiana Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, representing Phillips Coal Company. He also played a pivotal role in successfully opening the door for statewide banking in Louisiana as a lobbyist for the Louisiana Intrastate Banking Law, representing clients such as FNB of Lafayette, FNBC New Orleans, BNO New Orleans, and Hibernia Bank of New Orleans. In 1984, Governor Edwin W. Edwards and Attorney General William J. Guste, Jr. appointed Broadhurst chairman of the advisory team and as chief negotiator for the State of Louisiana in connection with the then-pending 8(g) litigation against the federal government. Working pro bono with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, Attorney General's Office, the Attorney for Federal Affairs, and the Louisiana congressional delegation, Broadhurst was instrumental in securing a $583 million settlement. Administered by the Louisiana Board of Regents, the considerable interest earnings funded 8(g) projects in Louisiana, designed to foster excellence in education, research and service. Other notable clients included Columbia Gulf Transmission Co., Intrastate and Interstate Gas Pipelines, Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline Co., Tennessee Gas Transmission Co., Transco Louisiana, Intrastate Gas Co., Williams Gas Pipeline, Louisiana State Newspapers, CLECO and CSX Railroads. In recent years, Broadhurst worked tirelessly as an attorney, advisor, and strategist for Entergy New Orleans. In January 2017, Broadhurst was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame, receiving the "2017 Friend of Edwin Edwards Award," acknowledging his longtime friendship and support of the former governor. Broadhurst was widely known as a charismatic yet tough negotiator in settlement talks and for skillfully navigating complicated oil and gas transactions. A steadfast friend and confidant, he earned a reputation as a brilliant political strategist as well as a fun-loving Louisiana historian and raconteur. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and LSU football. "Billy was one of the brightest people I ever met in government," said Louisiana Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego. "He was the type of guy who could solve almost any problem. He also had a great sense of humor and kept everyone on their toes." Bill Broadhurst was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Nancy de la Houssaye Broadhurst of Crowley, Louisiana; daughter Alison Broadhurst Mouton (Joey) and their children William and Mason; daughter Michelle Broadhurst Andrus (David) and their children Whitney, Tyler, Layne and Avery; three great grandchildren; and one brother, Robert C. Broadhurst, and his children Trey and Jamie Broadhurst. Pallbearers are William Mouton, Joseph Mouton, Alan de la Houssaye, John Williford, Rod West, William Kearney and Gregory Reggie. Honorary Pallbearers are Broadhust's close friends from "The Summit Group" - Braxton (B.I.) Moody III, Billy Trotter, Milo Nickel, Kenneth Privat, Fred Reggie, and Rocky Robin, along with James Davison, and Judge Eddie Sapir. In lieu of flowers, the Broadhurst Family is grateful for donations for the Acadia General Hospital Emergency Room in Crowley. Donations should be sent to Lafayette General Foundation 1214 Coolidge Street, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on-line at www.Lafayette General.com/Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley 301 N. Ave F Crowley, LA 70526 337-783-3313 www.geesey-ferguson.com

Published by The Advocate from May 27 to Jun. 2, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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Nancy,
My prayers are with you. Bill was always a very nice person.

Karen Boseman

June 11, 2017

Billy was a good man who helped a lot of people. He will be missed by me and many others.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with you, Nancy and all of his family.

William Stubbs

Friend

June 3, 2017

I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. (Isaiah 61:1,2) With heartfelt sympathy.

CW

June 2, 2017

Dear Nancy,heartfelt condolences from all of his friends and supporters from Washington, DC

James Connelly

June 1, 2017

Nancy I was shocked at hearing of Bill when I talked to you on Wednesday!! May his soul rest in peace and may you be comforted by the love of Christ during this time of loss. I really enjoyed visiting with Bill whenever I came over to see about his theater room. Such a gentle man!. He will be missed. God Bless, Danny Soileau

Danny Soileau

June 1, 2017

Nancy, so very sorry to hear about Billy B passing. Pio told me on Tuesday. Will keep all in my prayers. He was such a wonderful person.

Karen Bourgeois

May 31, 2017

My heartfelt sympathies go out to family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise found in 1 Thessalonians 4 : 14 can bring some comfort. Knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

Brad

May 30, 2017

My condolences,sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the thought that others share your loss. Matthew 11:28,29,30.

May 29, 2017

Nancy,
Please accept Peachy and my deepest felt sympathy for your loss of Billy. We will be out of state for a niece's wedding at the end of the week, but wanted you to know that you and the family were in our thoughts and prayers.
With deep regrets,

Charlie & Peachy Melancon

May 29, 2017

Nancy,
Please accept Peachy and my deepest felt sympathy for you loss of Billy. We will be out of state for a niece's wedding at the end of the week, but wanted you to know you and the family were in our thoughts and prayers.
With deep regrets

Charlie & Peachy Melancon

May 29, 2017

Becy

May 25, 2017

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Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Inc. - Crowley

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