Mr. Bonvillain was born in Slidell, LA on May 30, 1954 to the late Sarah Jane Sanchez and Ernest Emile Bonvillain, Sr. He was additionally cared for by his adopted parents, the late Mary Gill-Thomas and Marvin Thomas.
Mr. Bonvillain enlisted in the US Army in July 1974, and served 20 years. His service included five tours overseas, in Germany, Korea, and Panama, and stateside assignments at Ft. Polk, LA and Ft. Gordon, GA. After retiring from military service, he worked at RCBOE for 18 years as a bus driver.
Mr. Bonvillain enjoyed life with his loving wife of 44 years, Susan “Sue” Bonvillain. Together, they raised two children, Tamra and Michelle. In his spare time, Mr. Bonvillain enjoyed golfing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his beloved pet Charlie. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Retired Military Golf Association (RMGA) at Ft. Gordon, GA.
In addition to his birth parents and adoptive parents, Mr. Bonvillain is predeceased by a brother, Ricky Aydell; sister, Sharon Tesch; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Susan Bonvillain; daughters, Tamra Bonvillain and Michelle (Matthew) Colon; three grandchildren, Gabriella, Lily, and Oliver; 11 siblings, Ernie (Mary Etta) Phelps, Janie (late Dennis) Stagall, Denie Blanchard, Donna Rivers, Sheila Harper, Cheryl Ostarly, Boyd (Lisa) Smith, Melissa (Ronald) Steib, Diane (late George) Schenk, Pam (Walter) Riley, and Chuck (Janice) Aydell; brother-in-law, Mark Thomas; sister-in-laws, Joan (Ronnie) Nielsen, Joyce (Calvin) Magee, and Sharon (JL) Beckett; special friends, Robert Cheek and Dickey Peebles; Army buddies, Curt (Bernadette) Gross, Jerry (Sandy) Morrison, and Joe Ojeda; as well as many more extended family members, friends, and Army buddies.
Visitation will be from 3-5pm on Tuesday, October 12th at Elliot Sons Funeral Home (Lumpkin Road). A memorial service will follow at the funeral home at 5pm.
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