11/18/2025
Andy Housley was born on September 20, 1947, to Edward Tillis Housley and Barbara May (Miller) Housley in Sumrall, Mississippi. Around 1958 the family moved to Vidalia, Louisiana when Andy was in the seventh grade. In the fall of 1963 Andy met Aaronette Eifling, his “book-locker neighbor”, at Vidalia High School. She quickly fell in love with him.... but he didn’t figure it out until the Spring of 1965!
Andy wasn’t just an athlete; he also played the cornet and was known to run off the football field at halftime, change uniforms, and join the marching band before returning to the game. He and Aaronette graduated in 1965. Andy attended Northeast Louisiana State College while Aaronette joined the All-American Redheads professional basketball team. Andy spent what little money he had calling hotels across the country trying to find her team—just to say hello for a few precious seconds before he ran out of change.
In 1968, Andy and Aaronette married, and the next year they welcomed their son Allen. This led him to the oil field—a move that eventually brought the family to Bossier City, Louisiana, where their daughter Shannon was born in 1973. They made lifelong friends there, and we’re pretty sure there’s a Louisiana-style homecoming party in heaven right now with Ernie, Mike, Mr. JD, and a few others waiting with open arms.
In the early 1980s, the oil field brought the Housleys to Bryan, Texas, where big backyards and low fences made neighbors more like family. Andy was always the first to lend a hand and could build just about anything he set his mind to. He had a lifelong love of tinkering with cars—building more than a few, including his favorite project, Shannon’s 1970 VW Bug convertible.
When the oilfield slowed in 1986, Andy took to the sea aboard the JOIDES Resolution research vessel, working with the Ocean Drilling Program. He boarded in Senegal and disembarked in Barbados—proof that adventure was never far behind him. Years later, both Allen and Shannon would follow in his footsteps: Allen in the oil field, and Shannon all the way to the JOIDES Resolution herself.
The late ’80s brought Andy and Aaronette back to south Louisiana, where he perfected his turkey-frying, shrimp, and especially his crawfish-boiling skills. Later, in south Texas, he put those talents to work every Good Friday—hauling hundreds of pounds of crawfish overnight from Crowley, Louisiana, to boil them and feed friends and family.
Andy had truly pulled himself up by his bootstraps and never lost sight of the value of hard work. He was always ready to lend a hand or share his wisdom with anyone who needed it. Grateful for those who once mentored him, Andy made it a point to pay that kindness forward—always there with encouragement, advice, or a helping hand.
Andy and Aaronette loved RV camping and fishing together. They spent many happy months surrounded by friends in South Louisiana, where Andy also became an expert crabber. After a couple of “retirements” he finally settled into real retirement. He spent his days tinkering with cars, fishing with Aaronette, playing what he fondly called “old man golf,” and serving faithfully as “Mr. Fix-it” at the Church of the Advent. After battling a hard fight, he peacefully passed on Sunday November 9th with Aaronette at his side. Andy was loved by so many and will be deeply missed for his quick wit, kind heart, exceptional outdoor cooking and unwavering love for his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Aaronette Eifling Housley; his son, G. Allen Housley (wife Nancy; grandson Drew and grand-daughter-in-law Sara); and his daughter, L. Shannon Housley Davis (husband John; grandchildren Maya, Sagan, and Embry). He is also survived by his brothers Eddie, Bobby, and Danny Housley along with many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends that feel like family.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Barbara Mae (Miller) Housley; his sister, Barbara Housley Booker; and his beloved grandson, William Mason Housley.
A memorial service for Andy will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 200 N. Wright St., in Alice, Texas, on November 22 at 2:00 p.m.
**In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Episcopal Church of the Advent of Alice, Texas.**
Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main Street, Alice, Texas.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Facebook.
