Henry Sonnier, Jr., a life long resident of Rayne, passed away at Southwest Regional Medical Center in Lafayette after a brief illness on Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the age of 82 years old.

Services for Mr. Sonnier will be held at St. Matthew Baptist Church in Rayne on Friday, August 13.

Visitation and services will be between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Burial will follow in the Rayne Protestant Cemetery.

Mr. Sonnier married Edna Mae Augustine on February 14, 1949. She preceded him in death.

He is survived by one son and a grandson, both of Lafayette Parish.

Mr. Sonnier was employed in the railroad system and also served in the military, serving his country with honor from February 1, 1943 to January 6, 1946. He was a recipient of the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal during World War II.

He was a participant of Angel Manor Adult Day Care Center in Lafayette, where he established many close friendships and enjoyed his favorite hobby of playing dominos. He will be dearly missed by his friends and staff at Angel Manor.

He expressed his desire to publicly thank his friend for endless hours and devotion to his care and well being during his greatest hour of need and especially for her “wonderful cooking” of his favorite food, gumbo, and his favorite pastime of going on country rides.

He was loved and respected by his friends and family.