Walter Claude Bonie

Walter Claude Bonie died peacefully on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the age of 94. He was born on July 26, 1929, in New Orleans, LA to Evelyn Hazel Howell and Walter Sebastien Bonie. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Virgilyn I. Bonie.

Walter is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Dianne Jones Bonie, and his two daughters, Anjele Bonie Fischer (Tim) and Allyson Bonie Hennen (Mark). Walter is also survived by his four adoring grandchildren, Aidan Fischer, Ava Fischer, Liam Hennen and Nathan Hennen, his nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who all loved him dearly, his sister Muriel Bonie MacHauer and his brother Merlin F. Bonie (Jacqueline).

Walter grew up in Lakeview and attended the Lakeview School. He graduated from the Warren Easton Boys’ High School in 1946, and received American Legion award.

After high school he attended Tulane University’s College of Engineering and received a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1950. He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tulane in 1954. At Tulane, Walter was a Class President, and a member of the track team, the Newman Club, the Air Force R.O.T.C and the Engineer’s Technological Atelier. In 1955, Walter entered the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at the Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and worked on architectural projects there and throughout the country. After his service in the Air Force, Walter started his own civil engineering and architecture firm in 1969 - Bonie Associates, Inc. Always keeping busy, he was active in many Louisiana engineering and architecture societies throughout his career. He was involved in the Young Men’s Business Club of Greater New Orleans and of Jefferson Parish as an officer and director, was President of the Lake Vista Property Owners, and was a member of the Krewe of Mystery. Walter was also an involved parent at his daughters’ schools, St. Pius X and Mt. Carmel Academy. He loved football and proudly coached the St. Pius X junior touch football team to win the 1977 CYO city championship. That special trophy the boys on the team gave to him still sits on his fireplace today.

Walter enjoyed a 60+ year career designing industrial and commercial facilities, schools, football fields, libraries, fire stations, hospitals, medical facilities, playgrounds, refineries, offshore living quarters, drainage and street improvements in New Orleans and southern Louisiana. His happiest days were working at his office on Allard Boulevard near City Park, and spending time with his family. He loved slapstick comedy and was a devoted Three Stooges movie fan. His favorite summer family vacations were to the Florida panhandle and now his grandchildren have grown up vacationing there too. Walter reluctantly retired several years ago, but would still talk about certain projects and how much he enjoyed his long career. He loved driving around the city to point out his projects to his grandchildren. He was particularly proud of the additions he designed for Mt. Carmel Academy in 1995 and 2003 and the charming French Quarter street he repaired called Wilkinson Row. A beloved husband, father, brother and uncle, Walter’s family will forever cherish the memories of his smile, his generosity, his laugh, his witty remarks and sense of humor.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation and Mass on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. with the Mass beginning immediately after at 11 a.m. A private interment will be held at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery.