The world lost a father, a brother, and a good friend on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 when Alexander "Alex" Benjamin Sonnier peacefully passed on to his new life. He was born on May 22, 1930 in Lafayette, Louisiana and graduated from Lafayette High School. Alex served his country in the United States Air Force and the service company 156 Infantry of the Louisiana National Guard. It was during his assignment at Mountain Home, Idaho, that he met the love of his life, Janell Ann McDowell. They were married on April 6, 1952 in McCall, Idaho and soon moved to Lafayette to raise their family. They were blessed with 7 children. Alex supported his family as the owner/operator of Sonnier Esso/Exxon and Gulf-Chevron Service Stations until his retirement. Alex enjoyed horse races, raising rabbits, gardening and going to the casino.

Alex is survived by his children, Rose Geer, Julie Breaux and her husband Kenny, Angelina "Angie" Verret and her husband Benny, James Sonnier and his wife Angela, Michael Sonnier and Patrick Sonnier and his girlfriend Elizabeth Guilbeaux; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother, Wilson "Pete" Hebert and his family and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ellen and Eldon Carpenter and their family.

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Janell Sonnier, who died on September 27, 2015; his oldest son Robert who died in infancy; his mother, Rose Salizone Hebert, his in-laws, Ralph McDowell, Opal Ball and Celsus Ball; his sister-in-law, Harriet Hebert and his son-in-law, Edmund Geer.

Funeral Services for Alex will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Reverend Tom Voorhies, Pastor of Sacred Heart in Ville Platte. will preside over the services. Proclaimers of the Word will be Kayla Trahan and Bailey Sonnier. General Intercessions will be read by Tracy Verret. Offertory gifts will be presented by Bailey and Blaire Sonnier. Remarks of Remembrance will be presented by Rose Geer.

Alex will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery with full military honors immediately following the service. Pallbearers will be Patrick Sonnier, John Shankles, Matthew Breaux, Brian Verret, Andrew Sonnier and Marc Breaux. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Sonnier, Michael Sonnier, Robert "Bobby" Verret and Madelynne Breaux.

The family requests that visitation be from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM on Tuesday. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until time of service.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Amelia Manor Nursing Home in Lafayette for the care given to their father during the last years of his life.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Sonnier family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.

Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.