Percy was born July 2, 1943 to Percy Joseph Bernard Sr and Cecile Henry Bernard in St. Martinville at the St. Martin Infirmary, the second of seven children. Before he graduated from St. Martinville High School in 1961, he was taught trumpet by band director Robert Thibodeaux. Mr. Thibodeaux’s instruction inspired Percy to teach himself tenor saxophone. This culminated in over six decades where he moonlighted playing music (The Rebels, Randy and the Rockets, Warren Storm, Cocodrie, Bobby and the Rockers, to name a few) and enjoyed playing for people in nursing homes in his later years.

He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana where he graduated in 1965 with a B. S. in Marketing and met his future wife of 58 years Jean Anne Rabalais. They were married on January 27, 1968 in Plaucheville LA at Mater Dolorosa Church.

Percy served six years in the National Guard from 1967-73 where he was dispatched for service in the medical treatment facility. He spent the latter half of a 33 year career with the State of Louisiana Department of Labor as an administrative law judge. He enjoyed playing lots of golf, hunting and fishing with his brothers and friends and cooking a good gumbo or an etoufee.

Percy is survived by his wife Jean, son, Bret and daughter Kim. He is also survived by sisters Cynthia Champagne, Cheryl (Mel) Myers, Linda Dugas, brother Lonnie (Lisa) Bernard, honorary grandchildren Ethan and Emily Riggs and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Gerrill Dean “Dena” Dutile and her sons Blake and Lance, brother Keith Edward Bernard, brothers-in-law Merlin Champagne, Lynn Dugas and Gregory Rabalais and sister-inlaw Laura Bragg Rabalais. Percy’s kindness touched many lives and he had a deep regard for neighbors of over 50 years, James and Judy Billeaud and family.

A funeral service was held at St. Martin De Tours Church in St. Martinville LA officiated by Fr. Bill John Melancon on Saturday May 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. with a rosary that preceded at 12:20 p.m. After the service, there was an inurnment at the Mausoleum at St. Michael’s Cemetery on South Cemetery Highway in St. Martinville. A reception at the church hall followed the inurnment.

The family wishes to thank the staff from Hospice of Acadiana and the Cremation Society of Acadiana at Martin & Castille Funeral Home.