On Thursday, October 11, 2007, Herbert Paul Sonnier died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Herbert was born on August 8, 1950 to the union of John and Lovenia (Soileau) Sonnier of Eunice, Louisiana. He attended Henderson High School in China, Texas. Afterwards, he served in the United States Army during the Viet Nam War. During this time he received his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and later served in Berlin, Germany.
He married Ruby Guillory on January 22, 1972 in Winnie, Texas. Herbert was a beloved husband, son, brother, father, uncle and friend.
Herbert worked for Southern Pacific Railroad for seven years as a laborer. Afterwards he worked for William Brothers Trucking Company and Transit Mix in Beaumont and Orange, Texas for thirteen years. He was a faithful member of St. Louis Catholic Church of Winnie.
He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of thirty-five years, Ruby Mae Sonnier of Winnie, Texas; one son, Derrick J. Sonnier and his wife, Barbara of Cleveland, Ohio; two daughters, Saundra R. Fanti and her husband, Joel of Supply, North Carolina, Mary L. Sonnier and her fiancé, Versie Stephens of Fort Worth, Texas; brothers, Wilton Sonnier and his wife Diana, Milton Sonnier, Alaric Sonnier and his wife, Ella all of Beaumont, Texas, Wilbert Sonnier and his wife, Jean, Alvin Sonnier all of China, Texas; sisters, Lorissa Frank and her husband, S. Y. of Houston, Texas, Edmonia Bushnell and her husband, Floyd of China, Texas; grandchildren, Ashley Hickman, Khalil Fanti, Brianne Sonnier, and Saadiq Fanti; godson, Troy Sonnier; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, John Paul Sonnier, his mother, Lovenia Sonnier and sister, Lorena Victorian.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 20, 2007 at St. Louis Catholic Church, 135 W. Buccaneer Drive with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Broussard's, 134 W. Buccaneer Drive in Winnie. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
