Leslie “Shaun” Wales

Leslie “Shaun” Wales, 62, of Clinton, Louisiana, passed away at home on Saturday, September 19, 2026, surrounded by his family after a six-year battle with stage IV lung cancer.

Born June 26, 1964, in Baton Rouge, Shaun spent more than 30 years serving the Baton Rouge community with the Baton Rouge Fire Department, ultimately retiring as Deputy Chief. His illness began just weeks before his retirement, and through countless treatments, surgeries, hospital stays and periods of rehabilitation, Shaun continued to fight for more time with the people he loved. Nothing he endured ever changed how proud he was to be a firefighter or how much those years of service meant to him.

More than anything, Shaun was a devoted husband, father and Papa. He was the person who showed up, fixed what needed fixing and could always be counted on when someone needed him. Even during the hardest years of his illness, he continued finding ways to be there for his family.

Shaun was an outdoorsman, an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved simply being outside. He was always working on some kind of little project and seemed able to fix just about anything. If something needed to be repaired, adjusted or figured out, Shaun was usually the person everyone called. His truck was one of his greatest prides, and anyone who knew him knew how much he loved it and how meticulous he was about keeping it clean, maintained and in perfect shape.

Shaun is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 21 years, Joyce Wales; his children, Rachael Hanner and husband Josh Hanner, and Landon Walden and wife Amanda Walden; his mother, Rita Sibley; his granddaughters, Zoe Walden and Ella Walden, who were his pride and joy; his lifelong best friend, Kenny Wayne Smith; and his beloved cats, Bandit and Molly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marion Wales; his brother, Scotty Wales; and his grandparents, Frankie Hudson, Watt Kemp Wales, James “Jimmy” Davis and Aline Davis.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to every family member, friend and member of Shaun’s medical care team who cared for and supported him throughout these years. They are also deeply grateful to the members of East Baton Rouge EMS, Baton Rouge Fire Department and Pride Fire Department, as well as the staff members at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge General, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, The NeuroMedical Center and The NeuroMedical Center Rehabilitation Hospital. To every person who treated him, transported him, sat with him, prayed for him, checked on him or supported his family along the way, thank you.

The family is especially grateful to his neurosurgeon, Dr. Brandon Gaynor; his radiation oncologist, Dr. Charles Wood; and his medical oncologist, Dr. Gerald Miletello. Their expertise, compassion and commitment gave Shaun more time and helped carry his family through some of the hardest moments of this journey.

A special thank you to his nurse case manager, Katie Bamber, who was incredible, supportive, resourceful and caring throughout this entire journey. Her compassion and dedication meant more to our family than she will ever know. A special thank you also to Stephanie Chesne, who stayed with him as a live-in caregiver, helping with his daily care and providing invaluable support to Shaun and our entire family. Her presence and support were truly a lifesaver for all of us.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Thursday, September 24, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Brother Larry Bossier will officiate, with Julie Stevens delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Honoring Shaun as pallbearers will be Landon Walden, Dale Colomb, JK Johnson, Tim Ricca, Jerome Robertson and Butch Watson. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Kenny Wayne Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shaun’s memory to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (https://marybird.org/giving/honor-a-loved-one/) or to the Walk of Honor Foundation in support of the Louisiana Fallen Firefighter Memorial (Attn: Walk of Honor Foundation – Louisiana Fallen Firefighter Memorial, 8181 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806).

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.