Billy Paul Plunkett, a chartering member of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Northwestern State University, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 in Winnfield, Louisiana. He was 86 years old.

Graveside funeral services will be held at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield with Reverend Gary Willis officiating on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Friends may visit with the family at Southern Funeral Home on Saturday from 12:00-1:30 p.m.  

Billy was born in Atlanta, LA. on November 23, 1935, to Floda Baker Plunkett and Thomas Benson Plunkett Sr. He graduated from Winnfield High School and was a 1958 graduate of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. He was a member of Rotary International and the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches. He was the owner of the Plunkett Store for Men in Winnfield for 14 years followed by a successful career in health care management for 22 years. He was active in civic and church activities throughout his life. He enjoyed an active social life through the years with his life-long friends from elementary high school, college, and especially his brothers of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.  

Survivors include his beloved wife, Peggy Kerr Plunkett; his children, Kevin Plunkett and wife Wendy of Carrollton, Texas; his daughter Lori Foshee of Noble, LA; his stepchildren, Karen Townsend and husband, Bill of Natchitoches; Patti Weber and husband, Todd of Southlake, Texas; and Brent Carr and wife Andree’ of Humble, Texas. His grandchildren include Amanda Foshee and husband, Kenneth of Noble; William C. Townsend of Natchitoches; Anne Townsend Zeichner and her husband, Ben of Aledo, Texas; Gracie Weber and Claire Weber of Southlake; Rachel Carr and fiance Matt Kozma of North Richland Hills, Texas; Drew Carr of New York; and Davis Carr of Humble. He was blessed with two great granddaughters, Mackenzie Foshee and Madison McNeal along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Margie Plunkett Deloach and Betty Plunkett Hicks; and three brothers Thomas Benson Plunkett Jr., Jack Plunkett, and Charles Leo Plunkett.

The family thanks the doctors, nurses and staff at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home of Winnfield for the care given to Mr. Billy. The family also would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ruby Efferson for the loving and generous care of both Billy and Peggy.  

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Several members of the Beta Omicron Chapter Founders’ Generation Group attended the service for Billy, including Charles Varnell, John Echols, Jack McCain, and Charles Bice. Echols also gave the eulogy.

Over the years, Plunkett was an active member of the Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter’s Founders’ Generation Group, hosting reunions at their Natchitoches home. Billy and Peggy were also loyal supporters of their alma mater, NSU. In fact, Oprah Winfrey made a surprise visit to their home in 2002 and rode with Peggy in the NSU Homecoming parade. They had earlier appeared on her show and told Oprah that everyone in Natchitoches loved her.