Willis Francis "Sonny" (Two Feathers) Villeneauve, 55, Minot, died Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at his home west of Minot.

Willis was born June 5, 1954 at rural Dunseith, North Dakota, the son of Lorraine Villneauve. He was raised and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School. Following graduation, he entered into active duty service with the U. S. Marine Corps and honorably served his country during the Vietnam War.

Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to North Dakota for a short time and then lived in Montana where he worked as a nursing assistant and also did ranching. He returned to Minot, and received his (CNA) Certified Nurses Aide training at Trinity. He later received his Certified Medication Aide training while working at Edgewood Vista and also took more training while working in Underwood through Medcenter One. He was united in marriage to Donna (Aiken) Mock on April 24, 1998 in the Peace Lutheran Church, Burlington, ND.

Throughout the years, Sonny was employed at Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Centers in Minot and most recently at the Parshall Nursing Home. He retired in March 2009 due to ill health.

Sonny enjoyed being around family and friends. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and made several trips to the rallies in Sturgis, SD. He loved to go to the races, especially to watch his grandson Billy race. He enjoyed fishing, especially showing his grandson Micheal, the many tricks. In his younger years he participated in rodeos.

His loving family includes, wife Donna Villeneauve; son, Lance Garrett Weber, Jamestown; daughters, Carol Mock, Minot, Carla (Bill) Preston, Burlington, ND; grandsons, Billy and Micheal Preston; brothers, David (Ara) Bruce Minot, Raymond (Misty) Owens, Jr., Minot, Cletus McCleod, Minot; sisters, Bernadine "Cooky" (Ed) Tonasket, Des Moines, IA, Viola "Tootsie" Owens, Nancy Hoeger both of Minot, and Marne "Pinky" (Kevin) Nielsen, Granville, ND; foster sister, Joann (Bob) Forsman, Surrey, ND; several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.

Sonny was preceded in death by his mother, foster parents, Joe and Irene Bruce; grandparents, Rachel and Alfred Villneauve and several aunts.

Funeral service: Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church, Burlington, ND.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot
Visitation: Friday from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to the family.