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William
In Memory of
William "Sonny" T.
Lewis
1932 - 2018
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Gallagher Funeral Home and Crematory
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Obituary for William "Sonny" T. Lewis

William "Sonny" T.  Lewis
Funeral services for Mr. W.T. “Sonny” Lewis will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Rapides Parish Coliseum, Alexandria, Louisiana. Burial will be held in Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Gardner, Louisiana, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball, Louisiana.

Mr. Lewis, age 86, of Alexandria, Louisiana, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Although Sonny was a carpenter by trade, where he spent 35 years working for Jimmie Thompson Enterprises, his passion was rodeo. He lived his life as a cowboy and ambassador to the sport.

Sonny Lewis was a rodeo stock contractor and producer for more than 50 years. He was an original founder of the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association, where he served 2 separate terms as president and many years as stock contractor director on the Board.

His rodeo career began as a top competitor in calf roping. Sonny's acquaintance with Woodrow Dewitt and involvement with Ted Johnson's Hineston Rodeo led people to begin contacting Sonny and Woodrow to produce rodeos in other parts of the state, thus, the Dewitt & Lewis Rodeo Company was born, and the rest is history. They went on to be named the LRCA's Producer of the Year for 18 consecutive years.

In recent years Sonny continued to be involved with many facets of rodeo with a new partner, Bubba Dunn of Alexandria, LA. Together they provided bucking stock for the ever popular Angola Prison Rodeo.

Sonny Lewis was a friend to all and gave a helping hand to many young cowboys and cowgirls. He was meticulous about his rodeo productions and enjoyed both personal and professional relationships with the many rodeo committees he served around the state of Louisiana. Contestants became his friends and his crew of workers were his family.

He is survived by one son, Barry Lewis and friend, Anita Anderson of Alexandria; one daughter, Janet Philen and husband, Ray of Boyce; two sisters, Naomi Sharbono of Gardner and Lois Robinson of Hineston; four grandchildren, Riley, Callie and Brady Philen, Kaycee Lewis Johnson; one great-grandson, Kain Smart; a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Johnson Lewis; parents, Wilburn and Elizabeth Lewis; three brothers, David, Larry and Rodney Lewis; two sisters, Helen Robinson and Bernice Nash Feazell.

Friends may visit on Friday, July 20, 2018 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum, Alexandria, Louisiana from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Barry Lewis, Bubba Dunn, Randy Matthews, Scott Turner, Thomas Turner, Dallas Lewis, Greg Pharis, Shorty Norred, Riley Philen, Brady Philen, Bill Dodge and Ray Philen; honorary pallbearers will be cowboy contestants and friends.

Friends may post online messages of condolence for the Lewis family by visiting www.gallagherfh.com.




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