Byron Henry Sonnier, Jr.

Byron Henry Sonnier Jr., was greeted into heaven with open arms by his wife, Joan, on Saturday, February 20, 2021. He was born on April 26, 1943 in Texas City, Texas to his parents, Byron Henry Sonnier Sr. and Olite Marie Sonnier.

In December of 1962, he married the love of his life, Joan Ortolon Sonnier. Together they built their home with love and had 4 children, Ernest, Stephen, Nanette, and Christie. They spent 58 years walking by each other's side navigating through life. Henry worked as a truck-driver for many years. While working, he travelled all across America making sure to stop at any lighthouses that he could. Once he retired, he found ways to keep busy. He worked as a porter for car dealerships in the area and mowed lawns. Henry was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orange and was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus Council 1680. Henry was an old-fashioned gentleman; his word was his bond. He was a hard-worker that was dedicated to providing for his family. Those same values are the ones that are instilled into his children today. He held many titles such as Daddy, but we think his favorite was PawPaw. Henry had a heart of gold that was the size of Texas. It didn’t matter who you were, he loved everyone. A gentle man full of love and so giving. The ultimate definition of a caretaker. Henry fought the good fight, and he has finished his race. He touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.

He is preceded in death by his beloved bride, Joan Sonnier; parents, Byron and Olite Sonnier Sr.; sisters, Elizabeth Voytek and husband Albert, and Gwen Gonzalez; and grandson, Thomas Blake M. Sonnier.

Henry is survived by his children, Ernest Sonnier and wife Laura, Stephen Sonnier and husband Roy Dunn, Nanette Sonnier, and Christie Sonnier; grandchildren, Spencer Sonnier and wife Briana, Erica Pinney, Morgan Sonnier, and Erik Sonnier; great-granddaughter, Allyson Head; brother-in-law, Marvin Gonzalez; along with a host of extended family and friends.

Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Ernest Sonnier, Stephen Sonnier, Juan Cantu, CJ LeBlanc, Rodney Clark and Burt Guidry. Honorary pallbearers will be Spencer Sonnier, Erik Sonnier, and William Gill.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2021 with a recitation of the rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home - Orange, 504 N. 5th St. Orange, TX. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 912 W Cherry Ave, Orange, TX. Interment will be in Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2312 Irving, Orange, TX. A reception will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Hall.