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October 1, 1954 - August 25, 2026

Dave Tiller said his goodbyes on August 25, 2026. He was preceded by the passing of his wife, Russie Lynn Pierce-Tiller, on August 12, 2024; his parents, Joseph and Wilma Tiller; and three brothers, Lonnie, Guarry, and Burniss Tiller.
He is survived by his sister, Delma Palumbo, and younger brother, Ronnie Joe Tiller, along with three of Russie’s children, including two daughters, Lisa Honeywell and Leslie Pierce, and son Michael Vaughn. His grandchildren are Brandi Prisco, Holly Crenshaw, and Dena Bergeron. Dave has seven great-grandchildren: Aaralyn and Hazel Crenshaw; Bryanna, Bryan II, and Braxten Prisco; Miahna Bergeron; and Leilani Trahan.
David retired after 26 years as a superintendent from Mitchell Energy. He and Russie were married 47 years. They enjoyed living on the banks of the Vermilion River in Abbeville, Louisiana, having a beautiful life together.
Recently, Dave mentioned to Lisa and Leslie on more than one occasion that he had been looking forward to going fishing soon with his brothers, Lonnie, Guarry, and Burniss, who had already passed away. It’s suspected that somewhere deep down in Dave’s heart and soul, he intuitively knew that he would be seeing them again soon.
Dave had a passion for fast bikes, having had a Harley and currently an Indian Motorcycle. His pool table got some action; however, much of his time was spent outdoors organic gardening, where he was known for the best tasting and tender asparagus in town. A favorite food of Dave’s was cornbread, which interestingly is how he fell in love with Russie and her cooking, as she pulled the hot cast iron skillet of cornbread from the oven the first time he was invited for dinner.
His grandchildren gathered frequently for swimming pool parties where his superb grilling and barbeque techniques were much appreciated. He entertained and dare we say “spoiled” them all.
Dave’s favorite quote was, “Same stuff, another day,” and although this one was Russie’s favorite, Dave took pleasure in reciting it: “Joy riding the universe.” We are certain that Russie and Dave are back together again and are indeed joy riding the universe.
In lieu of a public memorial service, the family elected to host a private gathering, to be announced at a later date.

PECAN ISLAND, La. – SpaceX has announced it will invest $100 billion to build its largest launch facility in Vermilion Parish, a spaceport designed to support thousands of launches annually and unlock spaceflight on an unprecedented scale.
The historic project will establish Louisiana as a global hub for next-generation aerospace, with the capacity and infrastructure needed to dramatically increase launch frequency and expand access to space.
The company is expected to create 3,000 direct new jobs over the next 10 years, paying an average annual salary of $92,600, 192% above the Vermilion Parish average wage. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will generate more than 8,100 indirect new jobs for more than 11,100 new job opportunities in Acadiana.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry helped announce the project during an event Tuesday morning in Abbeville. Hundreds of guests attended the event inside Magdalen Place, with many more watching on screens outside the venue.
“Today is a pivotal moment for Louisiana. This announcement pushes our state beyond $250 billion in new investment and puts us at the center of the next great frontier,” Governor Jeff Landry said. “We have the people and talent to build what the world once thought impossible, creating jobs on land, across the Gulf and through space. Our job creation knows no bounds. This is America First. This is Louisiana First. I want to thank Elon Musk and the entire SpaceX team for choosing Louisiana.”

From Louisiana to the
Moon, Mars and Beyond

Founded in 2002, SpaceX develops reusable launch systems, satellite communications and human spaceflight technologies designed to expand access to space. Today, the company operates the Falcon rocket and Dragon spacecraft fleets, runs the global Starlink satellite network, operates a frontier-level AI model with Grok, builds and operates massive compute infrastructure, is building the largest chip manufacturing facility on the planet, and is developing Starship, its next-generation fully reusable launch system. Over the coming years, SpaceX aims to make Starship operational at scale, transforming how humanity accesses space and supporting national priorities like building a base on the Moon and the eventual human exploration and settlement of Mars.
Vermilion Parish will become the company’s fourth and largest launch site, playing a key role in ramping up Starship missions. At full buildout, the site is expected to include five launch complexes, each with two launch pads and a propellant farm. The development will also include a propellant production facility, power generation, vehicle processing and residential housing for employees and their families.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with the first launch targeted to be as soon as 2029.

“We’re preparing to build a spaceport that, until now, has only existed in science fiction,” said SpaceX Founder & CEO Elon Musk. “SpaceX was founded to bring about a future where humans are out exploring amongst the stars, which will only be possible when we make going to space as routine as flying on an airplane. Starbase, Louisiana will unlock that future. Thank you Governor Landry and the people of Louisiana for joining us on this journey, and for their help in the years ahead as we work together to build one of the most inspirational places on the planet.”

Another Global Vote of Confidence

SpaceX’s commitment adds to a historic run of global investment in Louisiana, with companies increasingly choosing the state for some of their largest, most advanced and strategically important projects. For this project, Louisiana offered a combination of advantages difficult to replicate elsewhere: abundant natural gas to provide the power and fuel needed for operations, expansive acreage to support future growth and a Gulf Coast location that enables launch to a wide range of trajectories. Together these elements will facilitate missions to Earth orbit for building orbital data centers and expanding internet connectivity for millions around the world along with flights to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
This project puts Louisiana at the epicenter of the growing private aerospace industry. By bringing one of the world’s most ambitious commercial spaceflight operations to the state, Louisiana is at the intersection of aerospace, advanced manufacturing and innovation—building on generations of industrial expertise while establishing a new position of leadership in an industry with national and global significance.
“SpaceX’s historic commitment to Louisiana is an undisputable signal to the world that we are executing at the highest level and leading in the next generation of industry,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Louisiana’s coast help power America’s economy through the oil and gas industry. While opportunities in that industry have changed over time, the talent, ingenuity and work ethic that built it remains. SpaceX will tap into that same foundation of skilled workers and businesses, creating new career paths and economic activity in an entirely new sector while building on generations of industrial expertise.”

A New Chapter for Louisiana’s Working Coast

Through the state’s sale of the former Exxon property to the company, the land will return to commerce as the home of one of the world’s most advanced projects, creating a new economic future from an asset that helped build the region’s industrial past.
“We are very excited to be in this position to receive one of the best opportunities of a lifetime which will bring not only a variety of jobs to our Parish but will offer opportunities to our grandchildren allowing them to stay home for employment,” Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Chad Vallo said. “A huge thank you goes out to the team that followed this through, especially Governor Jeff Landry.”
SpaceX has also already engaged the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and other appropriate state agencies to proactively address potential impacts to wildlife, fisheries and their supporting habitats. The company plans to partner with local conservation organizations and experts to identify opportunities to protect and enhance natural resources surrounding the site while working to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential impacts to Louisiana’s wildlife and habitats.

Creating Opportunity Statewide

SpaceX has joined Source Louisiana, the state’s online database connecting Louisiana businesses with contract and vendor opportunities tied to major development projects. Louisiana businesses are encouraged to register, verify and update their profiles to help ensure they are considered for future contracting opportunities with SpaceX and other projects across the state.
In the coming months, SpaceX plans to host town halls and other community engagement events throughout the surrounding area, giving residents opportunities to meet with the company, learn more about the project, ask questions and provide feedback. Details will be shared as they become available.
SpaceX has also announced they’re providing a discount on their Starlink internet service for residents in Vermillion Parish. New and existing customers will receive a 50% discount on eligible monthly plans and there will be no upfront hardware costs for new signups.
“SpaceX’s investment is a defining moment for Acadiana and one of the most significant economic development achievements in our region’s history,” One Acadiana President & CEO Troy Wayman said. “At the heart of One Acadiana’s work is creating quality jobs that allow people to build careers, support their families, and create a future right here at home. This project will create thousands of jobs, but its impact will reach far beyond employment. It will strengthen local businesses, create new opportunities, and positively change the economic trajectory of communities for generations. One Acadiana is proud to have worked alongside Louisiana Economic Development and Vermillion local officials to help bring this transformational project to Acadiana. It is also a powerful example of Governor Landry’s ‘whole of Louisiana’ approach to economic development; bringing state, regional, and local partners together to compete for opportunities that can transform not just one community, but our entire state. We are grateful to SpaceX for their confidence in Acadiana and look forward to welcoming them to our region and to the generational impact this investment will have on Louisiana families.”

Louisiana Delivers

This win is a direct result of Louisiana Lightning Speed, the state’s whole-of-government approach formalized by Governor Landry’s Executive Order, which brings state agencies together early on major economic development projects. Agencies worked across infrastructure, workforce, permitting, environmental regulation, wildlife and coastal issues to proactively address project needs.
To support the project in Vermilion Parish, the State of Louisiana offered SpaceX a competitive incentives package on the condition of capital investment, job creation and a $25 million charitable donation to the Community Foundation of Acadiana to address strategic regional priorities and needs arising from the growth associated with the project. The company is expected to participate in the state’s new Aerospace Facilities and Activities Rebate, created from Act 190 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, and the High Impact Jobs program. SpaceX will also receive customized recruitment assistance from LED FastStart.
Recognizing the demands a project of this scale will place on state agencies, LED will fund dedicated contract positions to support project-related work without disrupting existing state services. The additional capacity will support the Louisiana departments of Transportation and Development, Environmental Quality, Wildlife and Fisheries, and Conservation and Energy, as well as the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
On the local level, SpaceX has entered into an agreement with local taxing bodies for a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). The company will pay $25 million to the parish every year for the next 25 years with the annual payment increasing each year through an agreed-upon escalator, as well as an additional $20 million up front payment. The agreement is expected to generate more than $820 million in direct local payments.

About LED

Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for driving capital investment, job creation and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes. Explore how LED is positioning Louisiana to win at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Get ready, because after Tuesday, Vermilion Parish will shed its quiet, rural reputation and step onto the world stage. By noon, this little-known corner of Louisiana will capture international headlines as Gov. Jeff Landry will announce the building a multibillion-dollar space facility just south of Pecan Island.
Gov. Landry has invited more than 500 people, including parish leaders and elected local and state officials, to attend the meeting at Magdalen Place in Abbeville. SpaceX officials are also expected to attend. However, Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, is not expected to be there.
The fortunate invitees will get an exclusive look at a video where Musk shares his bold vision for Vermilion Parish and the future of SpaceX.
According to parish leaders, Musk is planning to build a space facility with five launch stations capable of launching three to five rockets a week.
Rising along the 18-mile stretch of coastline will be a GigaBay, a colossal 400-foot-tall structure spanning nearly 900,000 square feet. This engineering marvel will house, stack, and refurbish fully reusable Starship rockets and super heavy boosters, powering the rapid-fire launches needed for deep-space exploration.
SpaceX has GigaBays in Florida and Brownsville, Texas, where it builds and launches rockets.
Parish and city officials confirmed that the meeting will take place on Tuesday and is by invitation only.
With Gov. Landry and SpaceX officials descending on downtown Abbeville, roads around Magdalen Square will close for several hours before and after lunch, turning the area into a hub of anticipation.
The SpaceX project promises to generate between 2,000 and 3,000 jobs during the construction of the GigaBay and its five launch pads, ushering in a wave of opportunity for the region.

April 9, 1961 — August 13, 2026

Surrounded by family and the uplifting prayers of many, Gregory Valois Crochet passed gracefully into the hands of Our Lord on August 13, 2026. Though A long-time resident of Gulfport Mississippi, Greg’s hometown was Abbeville Louisiana. Greg is survived by his son Jacques (Cris); father and mother Alex and JoAnn Crochet; sisters Andree Begneaud (Donald), Yvette Genova (Floyd), Michelle Barra (Marc); and dear cousin Michael Foley and his wife Julie. Greg was cherished by his friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and shared the joy as the honorary great uncle to Michael and Julie’s grandchildren.
Greg was born into an Air Force family on April 9, 1961, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His father’s service afforded Greg a wonderful life of travels, and adventures. In his last days Greg recounted numerous amazing experiences of diving, hunting and fishing in diverse locations with his father, uncles, cousins, close friends and teachers. Greg’s love of nature ushered him into a lifelong career of teaching aquaculture and implementing conservation efforts in Mississippi. His influence and teaching began as a technician with Mississippi State University at the Coastal Aquaculture Unit. This was followed by several years as an instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where he assisted in the development of the Aquaculture program, helped design the facility, and build the hatchery ponds. Thereafter, Greg’s expertise led him to the Gulf Coast Research Lab. Projects at the Lab provided him unique opportunities in harvesting the Blue Crab, coastal conservation, and many other interests dear to Greg. Perhaps his most precious achievements were his services on the Harrison Counter Soil and Water Board, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Mississippi Association of Conservation District, and the Mississippi Soil & Water Conservation Commission Board. He had the distinct honor of serving with these wonderful groups of people whose leadership and companionship were part of his daily life for many, many years.
A Celebration of Life will be hosted at the Bradford – O’Keefe Funeral Home on August 18, 2026 at 1 p.m. A catholic mass and internment will be held in Napoleonville, Louisiana at St. Anne’s Catholic Church Tuesday; August 25, 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the:
Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts
680 Monroe St.; Suite B
Jackson, MS 39202