News Summary
Shreveport mourns the loss of artist and community advocate Willis Ambrose Bittick, a beacon for aspiring young creatives.
Shreveport, Louisiana — Willis Ambrose Bittick, an accomplished artist and dedicated community advocate, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at the age of 92. Services to honor his life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, starting with visitation at 10:00 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. in the Osborn Chapel. He will be laid to rest in the Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Coushatta.
Bittick was born on August 14, 1932, in Bloomsdale, Missouri, to Kennard and Florence Bittick and was the youngest of four children. He grew up in Festus, Missouri, where he often reflected on a childhood filled with memorable adventures, a time he described as idyllic—a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
After graduating from Festus High School in 1951, Bittick attended Tarkio College on a football scholarship for two years. In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Korea during the Korean War. His service was distinguished, earning him multiple medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. Bittick was honorably discharged in 1955, subsequently enrolling at The University of Missouri, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1957.
In 1958, he married Ann Fergusson Bittick and relocated to Shreveport in 1960 to join the family business, Fergusson Insurance Company. Bittick’s life was rich with hobbies and interests; he was an avid competitor in sailing, long-distance car rallies, and equestrian events including dressage and carriage driving. In his later years, he purchased a mini horse with the intention of training it for competition, although his health prevented him from pursuing this endeavor.
Throughout his life, Bittick was passionate about encouraging young people to explore various hobbies. His commitment extended to promoting programs for aspiring sailors and riders. He also had a deep love for music, ranging from opera to popular genres, and shared a special bond with his rescue dog, Sophie.
Art held a significant place in Bittick’s life, particularly pointillism, a style he mastered and practiced throughout his years. His artwork remains cherished by family members, reflecting both his artistic talent and personal connection to creativity.
Mr. Bittick held distinct views, including a strong belief that The University of Missouri was the best educational institution and a preference for gin in martini-making. He is remembered not only for his artistic and professional achievements but also for the love he shared with his family, friends, and community.
Bittick was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Junette Bittick Henson, brothers John and Bob Bittick, his former wife Ann Bittick, his son-in-law Mike Dailey, and his second wife Dorothy Bittick, whom he married in 1984. He is survived by his son Thomas Bittick and wife Susan of Dripping Springs, Texas; daughters Elizabeth Dailey of McKinney, Texas, and Mary Camden and husband Mike of Shreveport; and seven grandchildren, Sarah Bates, Michael Camden, Emily Judice, Caroline Camden, Rebecca Miller, Chad Dailey, and Steve Dailey, as well as 13 great-grandchildren.
The family expresses appreciation to St. Joseph Hospice for their compassionate care during Mr. Bittick’s final months, acknowledging his daughter Mary for her devoted care in the last six months of his life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Arc Caddo-Bossier GREAT Program, which provides equine-assisted services for children and adults with disabilities.
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Additional Resources
- Legacy: Michael Van Tiem Obituary
- Wikipedia: Willis Bittick
- Shreveport Times: Obituary Search
- Google Search: Willis Bittick
- Legacy: Dorothy Long Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Willis Bittick
- Legacy: Byron Smith Obituary
- Google News: Willis Bittick
- Legacy: Jerlene Craig Obituary
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
