Walter Alvie “Sonny” Lewis, Jr., 89, died peacefully on November 26, 2019, after a brief stay at Houston Methodist Hospital. Sonny was born on January 23, 1930, to Walter Alvie Lewis Sr. and Stella Alvina Allen Lewis in Austin, Texas.
He graduated in 1947 from Academy High School in Little River, Texas. A tireless entrepreneur and businessman, Sonny worked various jobs in his teen years, delivering newspapers and ice, stocking groceries, selling fences and owning a Phillips 66 service station.
In 1950, Sonny moved to Pasadena, Texas, where he started his family. He was employed at Rohm & Haas Company for 10 years before selling insurance for Pioneer American in 1966, which became his most successful endeavor.
Sonny retired in 1992, but his endless energy and competitive spirit kept him active, volunteering, two-stepping, boating, biking, swimming, playing racquetball, traveling with friends, and beating everyone he could in cards and backgammon. His deck was never empty, and his dance card was always full.
Sonny served as president of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1980-1982 and as chairman from 1983-1985. He also served as a lifetime vice president for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1992-1994, contributing countless hours towards Texas youth and education.
Sonny is preceded in death by his parents and little sister, Bynne Snyder.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lillie; only daughter, Deborah Purdy and her partner, Dennis Moeller; a blessed and blended family in son, Corey Byrd and his wife Tiffany; daughter, Christi Byrd Smith and her husband Chase; grandsons, Cody and Carson Lewis Byrd, and Chase Winkler and his wife Courtney; granddaughters, Riley, Lilly Kathryn, Annsley and CeCe Smith; as well as a beloved niece, Jeri Dianne Jaggers; nephew Mike Croft; goddaughter, Stacy Hart Thomas, her husband, Aaron, and their son, Tyson.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are, Corey, Cody and Carson Byrd, Scott Hinsley, Dennis Moeller, Dave Scoby, and Chase Smith.
A memorial service in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors had charge of arrangements.
He graduated in 1947 from Academy High School in Little River, Texas. A tireless entrepreneur and businessman, Sonny worked various jobs in his teen years, delivering newspapers and ice, stocking groceries, selling fences and owning a Phillips 66 service station.
In 1950, Sonny moved to Pasadena, Texas, where he started his family. He was employed at Rohm & Haas Company for 10 years before selling insurance for Pioneer American in 1966, which became his most successful endeavor.
Sonny retired in 1992, but his endless energy and competitive spirit kept him active, volunteering, two-stepping, boating, biking, swimming, playing racquetball, traveling with friends, and beating everyone he could in cards and backgammon. His deck was never empty, and his dance card was always full.
Sonny served as president of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1980-1982 and as chairman from 1983-1985. He also served as a lifetime vice president for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1992-1994, contributing countless hours towards Texas youth and education.
Sonny is preceded in death by his parents and little sister, Bynne Snyder.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lillie; only daughter, Deborah Purdy and her partner, Dennis Moeller; a blessed and blended family in son, Corey Byrd and his wife Tiffany; daughter, Christi Byrd Smith and her husband Chase; grandsons, Cody and Carson Lewis Byrd, and Chase Winkler and his wife Courtney; granddaughters, Riley, Lilly Kathryn, Annsley and CeCe Smith; as well as a beloved niece, Jeri Dianne Jaggers; nephew Mike Croft; goddaughter, Stacy Hart Thomas, her husband, Aaron, and their son, Tyson.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are, Corey, Cody and Carson Byrd, Scott Hinsley, Dennis Moeller, Dave Scoby, and Chase Smith.
A memorial service in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors had charge of arrangements.
Walter Alvie “Sonny” Lewis, Jr., 89, died peacefully on November 26, 2019, after a brief stay at Houston Methodist Hospital. Sonny was born on January 23, 1930, to Walter Alvie Lewis Sr. and Stella Alvina Allen Lewis in Austin, Texas.
He graduated in 1947 from Academy High School in Little River, Texas. A tireless entrepreneur and businessman, Sonny worked various jobs in his teen years, delivering newspapers and ice, stocking groceries, selling fences and owning a Phillips 66 service station.
In 1950, Sonny moved to Pasadena, Texas, where he started his family. He was employed at Rohm & Haas Company for 10 years before selling insurance for Pioneer American in 1966, which became his most successful endeavor.
Sonny retired in 1992, but his endless energy and competitive spirit kept him active, volunteering, two-stepping, boating, biking, swimming, playing racquetball, traveling with friends, and beating everyone he could in cards and backgammon. His deck was never empty, and his dance card was always full.
Sonny served as president of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1980-1982 and as chairman from 1983-1985. He also served as a lifetime vice president for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1992-1994, contributing countless hours towards Texas youth and education.
Sonny is preceded in death by his parents and little sister, Bynne Snyder.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lillie; only daughter, Deborah Purdy and her partner, Dennis Moeller; a blessed and blended family in son, Corey Byrd and his wife Tiffany; daughter, Christi Byrd Smith and her husband Chase; grandsons, Cody and Carson Lewis Byrd, and Chase Winkler and his wife Courtney; granddaughters, Riley, Lilly Kathryn, Annsley and CeCe Smith; as well as a beloved niece, Jeri Dianne Jaggers; nephew Mike Croft; goddaughter, Stacy Hart Thomas, her husband, Aaron, and their son, Tyson.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are, Corey, Cody and Carson Byrd, Scott Hinsley, Dennis Moeller, Dave Scoby, and Chase Smith.
A memorial service in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors had charge of arrangements.
He graduated in 1947 from Academy High School in Little River, Texas. A tireless entrepreneur and businessman, Sonny worked various jobs in his teen years, delivering newspapers and ice, stocking groceries, selling fences and owning a Phillips 66 service station.
In 1950, Sonny moved to Pasadena, Texas, where he started his family. He was employed at Rohm & Haas Company for 10 years before selling insurance for Pioneer American in 1966, which became his most successful endeavor.
Sonny retired in 1992, but his endless energy and competitive spirit kept him active, volunteering, two-stepping, boating, biking, swimming, playing racquetball, traveling with friends, and beating everyone he could in cards and backgammon. His deck was never empty, and his dance card was always full.
Sonny served as president of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1980-1982 and as chairman from 1983-1985. He also served as a lifetime vice president for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1992-1994, contributing countless hours towards Texas youth and education.
Sonny is preceded in death by his parents and little sister, Bynne Snyder.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lillie; only daughter, Deborah Purdy and her partner, Dennis Moeller; a blessed and blended family in son, Corey Byrd and his wife Tiffany; daughter, Christi Byrd Smith and her husband Chase; grandsons, Cody and Carson Lewis Byrd, and Chase Winkler and his wife Courtney; granddaughters, Riley, Lilly Kathryn, Annsley and CeCe Smith; as well as a beloved niece, Jeri Dianne Jaggers; nephew Mike Croft; goddaughter, Stacy Hart Thomas, her husband, Aaron, and their son, Tyson.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are, Corey, Cody and Carson Byrd, Scott Hinsley, Dennis Moeller, Dave Scoby, and Chase Smith.
A memorial service in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors had charge of arrangements.
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