Philip Milton Soileau, age 58, was born on March 30, 1968, in Alexandria, Louisiana and passed peacefully to his enteral home on April 24, 2026. He lived his 58 years to the fullest and had a huge impact on so many people, especially through his law enforcement career. We celebrate that Philip is no longer suffering and is in the presence of God and the rest of his family and friends who have gone before him.
Phil graduated from Pineville High School in 1987 and went on to play college football at Northwestern State University, where they won the Southland Conference in 1988. After football, he transferred to Louisiana Tech University and threw the javelin. He loved sports and was very athletic. Ruston would become his home and where he raised his family.
He proudly served his community in law-enforcement and retired after having worked in Lincoln, Union, and Rapides Parish Sherriff’s offices. He was an ordained Deacon at First Baptist Church of Ruston. Phil was known for his strong work ethic, kind and gentle heart, great storytelling, and sense of humor.
He loved his family deeply and enjoyed hunting, cooking, cheering on LSU and LA Tech, and officiating high school baseball including local and regional youth baseball. Phil was chosen many years to officiate the Boys High School Championship Baseball Tournaments in Sulphur, Louisiana. He was always eager to help with the family business, Full Strap and Stringer Guide Service and Outfitters in Central, Louisiana. Anyone that really knew Phil… knew he loved peanut butter!!
He is preceded in death by his precious baby girl, Hope Alexandra Soileau; parents, James and Norma Soileau; brother, Chris Soileau; and sister-in-law, Karen Soileau.
Phil is survived by his sons; Justin Philip Soileau of Choudrant, Louisiana and Garrett Price Soileau of Ruston, Louisiana; granddaughters, Annalin Hope Soileau and Olivia Grace Soileau of Calhoun, Louisiana; former wife of 34 years and high school sweetheart, Teasha Kinman Soileau of Ruston, Louisiana; brother, Blake Soileau (Cheryl) of Pineville, Louisiana; sister, Nicole Soileau-Atwood, of Pineville, Louisiana; several nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members and lifelong friends.
A Celebration of Life will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 200 South Trenton St, Ruston, LA 71270. Officiating the service will be Dr. Chris Craig. Interment will follow in Vienna Cemetery, Hwy 167 North, Vienna, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
A visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at First Baptist Church Sanctuary in Ruston, LA.
A second Celebration of Life will be at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, 2701 Military Hwy in Pineville, LA from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for family and friends.
Pallbearers for the service will be Keith Bagwell, TJ Anderson, Bill Davis, David Bates, Hunter Soileau, Arlen Soileau, Blake Soileau, Gary Brazzel, and Wade Ratcliff.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office, Mike Kane, and Johnny Murad.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Home Health 2000, especially his nurse, Heather Babcock, for her compassion and kindness she extended to not only Phil but his family too.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered!
Scriptures:
Psalms 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”.
John 14:2-3 – “In My Father’s house are many rooms…I go to prepare a place for you.”
