1932
Wilfred
2009
Wilfred Joseph Sonnier
July 26, 1932 — October 3, 2009
Wilfred Sonnier was a pilot and crop duster. He owned Sonnier's Flying Service, a successful farm-related business west of Kaplan. The business serviced the vast rice-farming community during the 1950's to the 1970's. Sonnier began in 1957 with one cropduster, commonly referred to as a Stearman Aircraft, and slowly purchased more of these biplanes as his business grew. Before selling the business to his cousin, Lifton Broussard, it had grown to become a very profitable family owned and operated enterprise.
Sonnier became a pilot in the early 1950's under the tutelage of his father-in-law, Asan Trahan. Trahan had taught himself to fly planes in his efforts to become a better farmer. Using farming terminology-he used his plane to "chase birds" from the rice fields. Sonnier and Trahan formed a strong alliance in support of farmers in that area. While Sonnier owned Sonnier's Flying Service, Trahan owned Trahan's Rice Dryer across the road. For decades these two businesses provided services to rice farmers, and employed dozens of skillful, dedicated workers.
Many people familiar with the beach community of Holly Beach may remember Wilfred Sonnier and Asan Trahan. They both owned camps there, along with many of their relatives and friends. Their first camp was destroyed in 1957 during Hurricane Audrey. With the help of Herbert Sonnier, Wilfred's brother, new camps were built, and for the next 50 years the families enjoyed many happy times there. In 2005, during Hurricane Rita, the camps were destroyed once again. The memories, however, of the extraordinary family community at Holly Beach remains forever in the hearts of all who traveled there.
After early retirement, Sonnier began a hobby that soon became his passion. He became a musician. He began with "le tee fer" (the Cajun triangle) and progressed to the drums. He joined a group of like-minded musicians to form a band that played for free at large social gatherings. Through this passion, he was reacquainted with old friends; and he and his wife, Gladys, made many new friends. Sonnier was proud of his Acadian heritage and the "joie de vivre" that permeates the Cajun culture.
In 2007, Sonnier and his wife celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a huge gathering of family and friends in Kaplan. He was proud to accompany his band in playing music, as well as joining the crowd on the dance floor. Throughout his life, Sonnier loved dancing and was regarded by many as a very good dancer.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Gladys Landry Sonnier and a large extended family composed of stepchildren, Shirley Guidry Herpin, Jimmie Guidry and Karen Chevalier Guidry, all of Kaplan, and their nine children and thirteen grandchildren who fondly saw Sonnier as their beloved "Paw-Paw." He is also survived by his only daughter, Sandra Sonnier Rung and her husband Ralph Rung of Abbeville; two grandsons, Jason Rung and Jeremy Rung, both of Abbeville; nieces and nephews, Madgelen Sonnier Theriot and Ernest Sonnier Jr., both of Lake Charles and Kenneth Sonnier and Chris Sonnier, both of Kaplan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elphege Sonnier and the former Nella Hebert; his two brothers, Herbert Sonnier and Ernest Sonnier Sr.; his only son, Jeffery Lee Sonnier; and his nephew, Tim Sonnier.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, October 7, from 8 a.m. until the procession departs for the church.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses on the Seventh Floor at Lafayette General, and, most especially to Genie Comeaux and Father Malliad, who were the first to offer support and comfort to the family during their initial time of distress.
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