Joan Montegut Williams

Lafayette – On Saturday, July 24, 2021, Joan Montegut Williams passed away at the age of 86.
Joan was born on November 3rd, 1934, in St. Martinville to Carmen and Lester Montegut. She graduated from LSU in 1955 with a degree in accounting.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dick and is survived by her five children, Louise Prejean (Mrs. Andre Prejean) of Lafayette, Cheryll Guilbeau (Mrs. Robert Guilbeau) of Lafayette, John Williams and his wife Becky of Lafayette, Douglas Williams and his wife, Anne of Lafayette, and Lester Williams.
Joan is also survived by her grandkids, Neil Prejean and his spouse Miranda, Matthew Williams and his spouse Rebecca, Renee Guilbeau and her spouse Russell Tang, Bud Guilbeau and his spouse Anndrea, Ethan Williams, Caleb Williams, Aaron Williams, Joseph Williams and Bennett Williams. She has seven great-grandchildren, Avalyn, Lily, Finley, and Josie Prejean, Liam and Theo Williams, and Oliver Lee Tang.
Joan was beloved by her family and by the countless outdoor enthusiasts she influenced over the years. She was the leader of Girl Scout Troop 95, pioneering a unique high adventure program that was unheard of at the time. She was a phenomenal entrepreneur and businesswoman who founded Pack & Paddle in Lafayette in 1974. Pack & Paddle was a vehicle that allowed Joan to combine her love for local outdoor recreation and her love of people. She innovated by bringing indoor skiing to Pack & Paddle, the first canoe rentals at Ouiska Chitto Creek and offering outdoor experiences such as backpacking and canoeing trips to Pack & Paddle’s customers.
Joan was a tireless litter activist cleaning many roads and organizing cleanups and raising awareness.
Joan authored books on canoeing and bicycling in Louisiana and launched events within the community including Cycle Zydeco, the CajunMan Triathlon and many others. Joan loved to travel and cycled in France, Italy and several other countries with her husband and friends. She was named Louisiana Small Business Person of the Year in 1993.
Her family remembers Joan as a loving mother and a tenacious businesswoman as well as someone who lived life to the fullest. She will be sadly missed. They take joy in knowing that she is now reunited with her loving husband of 63 years – her favorite cycling partner.
The family would like to thank all of Joan’s caregivers over the last two years as well as Hospice of Acadiana for their amazing dedication and help.
A private funeral Mass will be held. A public service is not planned at this time, but a celebration of life will take place sometime in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Hospice of Acadiana, or to the local litter advocacy group Parish Proud. https://www.cfacadiana.org/parishproud.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.
Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN - 330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311.
(Pd.Adv.)