Lafayette – A Funeral Mass will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette for Dr. Willie Z. Bienvenu, 94, who entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at his residence in Lafayette.
Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Reverend Paul Bienvenu, son of Dr. Bienvenu, Pastor of St Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice, will be Celebrant of the Funeral Mass.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 12 Noon with a recitation of the rosary at 11 a.m.
Dr. Bienvenu was born in St. Martinville on March 15, 1930, attended Our Lady of Mercy Elementary and graduated from St. Peter’s College (now Catholic High) in New Iberia as Valedictorian of his class of 1947. He received a degree in Pre-Med from SLI (now ULL) and his medical degree from LSU New Orleans in 1955. He completed a General Practice Residency before reporting for duty with the US Navy. He retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.
Dr. Bienvenu served his community as a Family Practice physician in Lafayette, St Martinville and Baton Rouge. He served as Deputy Coroner for Lafayette Parish and Coroner for St Martin Parish. He inspired many future doctors as a preceptor for students through his partnership with Tulane Medical School.
A testament to his appreciation of genealogy, Dr. Bienvenu compiled a study of many families which has served as a resource for various genealogy studies. His work can be found in the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, as well as in local libraries. Though many would see him as a quiet man, his family and friends enjoyed his wit and light-hearted humor.
An active and devoted Catholic, he was an altar server from youth to adulthood, lector, choir member and Eucharistic Minister. He contributed to the study of Sacred Scripture, of which he was well-versed. He and his wife participated in a Come Lord Jesus group, an important part of their lives.
Dr. Bienvenu was a long standing member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was active in his community, serving as president of the Lafayette Serra Club, both Lafayette and St Martinville Rotary Clubs, and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He served as chaplain for the SAR for 15 years. He was a volunteer for St Joseph’s Diner and Meals on Wheels, and a member of the International Good Neighbors.
Dr. Bienvenu was preceded in death by his parents Reuben Bienvenu, Sr. and Blanche Bonin Bienvenu; brothers Kenward and Reuben Jr; brother-in-law Louis A. Broussard and son-in-law Lance Bertrand.
Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife of 69 years Marianne Villermin Bienvenu; his six children, Marie Bienvenu Wright and husband Thomas, Anne Daigle and husband Wayne, Will Bienvenu and wife Simone, Reverend Paul Bienvenu, Michelle Seymour and husband Karl, and Therese Bertrand. Their grandchildren include Camille Landry and husband Brennan, Chelsea Lanclos and husband Phillip, Austin Daigle and fiancée’ Kaci Cazenave, Olivia Daigle and husband Jason Petitjean, Gabrielle Bancroft and husband Conner, Jessica B Ponze and husband Casey, Zachary Bienvenu and wife Amy, Marcelle Bienvenu and fiancé Paul Castedo, Neal Seymour, Joshua Seymour, Jude Bertrand and Jolie Bertrand, as well as eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Dianne Broussard; his nephew, Reuben S. Bienvenu and wife Olivia; his sister-in-law Yvette Bienvenu and other nieces and nephews.
Upholding the honor of pallbearers will be, Will Z. Bienvenu, Austin Daigle, Zachary Bienvenu, Neal Seymour, Joshua Seymour, Jude Bertrand, Reuben S. Bienvenu and Kevin Bienvenu.
Special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana and his devoted caregivers.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Acadiana, https://hospiceacadiana.com or to the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Ave, Lafayette, LA 70501.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.
Martin & Castille Funeral Home - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, 337-234-2311
(Pd.Adv.)
