September 15, 1932 ~ January 16, 2021
William “Roy” Bonner, Jr.
KJV 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Age 88, of Denham Springs, Louisiana passed away peacefully on 1/16/21. Roy was born on 9/15/1932 in Wichita Falls, Texas and was adopted shortly after birth by William “Roy” Bonner and Billie Rabe Bonner of Lufkin, Texas. Roy’s happy childhood was shattered when his father passed away shortly before Roy’s ninth birthday.
In 1944, Roy’s mother married Ben McFarlin, and the family moved to Coushatta, Louisiana to open a restaurant when Roy was 11 years old. Roy graduated from Coushatta High School.
Shortly after, Roy’s life was upended again when Uncle Sam drafted him into the Army on May 29, 1953. He served in an Artillery Unit while on active duty. On May 3, 1955, Roy was released to the Army Reserves to complete eight years of service.
Roy returned home and enrolled at Louisiana Tech University, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. He taught Civics at Broadmoor Junior High School in Shreveport, Louisiana for a number of years. He finally was in charge of his life during this time.
Excerpts from an internet post by a former student:
I am looking for my 9th grade civics teacher from Shreveport Louisiana. His name was Roy Bonner and was a teacher back in the 1960s at Broadmoor Jr. High. He would be about 65-75 years old now. This Roy Bonner may have left teaching to work in business. As I recall he drove a Corvette Stingray (which greatly impressed us boys). He also worked out a lot and was very strong. Roy Bonner was a major influence in my life. I have just recently gotten an appointment to the University of Oregon. I just wanted to find him and let him know. I was a terrible student in middle school and he was always so encouraging to me. Any help would be appreciated.
In 1961, Roy’s adoptive mother, Billie, died. He tried to find out about his birth parents from the adoption agency. They turned him away and would not share any identifying information about his parents. As it turns out, by not sharing this information, it was detrimental to all those living at the time including his birth mother.
Sometime in the early 1970s, he moved to the Baton Rouge area, and eventually gained employment with The Robinsons Brothers dealership. He stayed with the company for many years and became a permanent fixture through his 86th year. A very joyful time in Roy’s life was when he finally learned he had a birth sister. He was so pleased to be united with her in January 2014. When Roy and Peggy met, it was as if they had always known each other.
Roy is survived by his son, Philip, and wife, Donna Bonner, of Round Rock, Texas; grandson, Stewart, and wife, Ann Bonner, of Mansfield, Texas; granddaughter, Elizabeth, and husband, Matt DeVille, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; great-grandchildren Brooks, Sutton, Shaw Bonner, Drew and Jake DeVille; his sister and her husband, Peggy and Jerry Petty of Nocona, Texas; his beloved cats, Bonnie and Clyde; his good friends, Sue Guidry White, Wanda Roberts, Frank Messina, Jr., and Candace Pack. He also is survived by his search angels and dear friends, Diane Hardy, Denise Johnson, and Crystal Williams, who helped set the dynamite that blew his sealed adoption case wide open.
He was predeceased by his adoptive father, William “Roy” Bonner, Sr., adoptive mother, Billie Rabe Bonner McFarlin, step-father, Ben McFarlin, and birth mother, Ora Inez Peeler McKinney.
Roy finally retired in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed being at home with Bonnie and Clyde, two of the many stray cats he rescued through the years.
Roy recently said, “Even with all of my mistakes, it’s been a good ride.” According to his wishes, Roy will be cremated with his ashes to be interred at the family plot in Lufkin. A Celebration of Life get together will be held in the near future. For those wishing to honor Roy, donations may be made to the Denham Springs Animal Shelter (the only no-kill shelter in Louisiana), Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue or a charity of your choice.
The family wishes to express our gratitude to Wanda Roberts for being a good friend to Roy during this past year. In addition, we would like to thank all of the members of the team at Harvest Manor Healthcare & Rehab Center as well as Life Source Hospice for the care and compassion provided to Roy during these last several months.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.sealefuneral.com
9 comments
Ronnie McFarlin
April 18, 2024 at 12:18 am
PHIL………I AM RONNIE MCFARLIN…….BEN MCFARLIN WAS MY UNCLE……….I THINK I
MET ROY ONE TIME AT HIS HOUSE……..I AM 80 YEARS OLD…..LIVE IN GEORGETOW
CALL ME…….IF WANT……….512 635 6302
RACHEL GRIENER
January 1, 2023 at 2:39 am
I was a student of Roy Bonner at Broadmoor Junior High School. He has stayed in my thoughts all these years, as I’ve grown older & become more deeply aware he was a unique & exceptional man. I always appreciated his saying, in class, “There’s a lotta folks around here still don’t realize that “the wa-uh is O-vuh!” My mom was involved in the Civil Rights movement then & the Klan had already burned a cross on our lawn, so I was just breathless, and still am, at his simple, courageous honesty. An unsung hero.
Gary Brannon
September 7, 2022 at 11:49 pm
I lived down the street from Roy on Johnnie in South Broadmoor in the early to mid-sixties. He was memorably the only single man living in the neighborhood. I remember his long line of really nice muscle cars and beautiful girlfriend. The split window corvette with side pipes was the real standout. All the kids wanted to be Roy when they grew up and all of the dads wished they could be him too. As a teacher he had the knack to add life lessons to whatever he was teaching. The lessons were the kind that I still use at 65. I don’t know a kid who took a class from him that didn’t look forward to his lectures every day. I can’t think of a better legacy for a teacher.
Jerry L Jinks
September 11, 2021 at 2:06 am
Mr. Bonner was a memorable teacher to so many who were students at Broadmoor Jr. High in the 60’s and 70’s. He taught Civics, but even more relevant he talked to us about life, and the value of a good education. Some of the class of 1975 from C.E. Byrd were his students at Broadmoor. His name came up in a discussion of memorable and influential teachers on Facebook
Diane Hardy & Denise Johnson
January 20, 2021 at 8:06 pm
After meeting Roy for the first time, it felt like we had always known him. Roy was always very charming, and a true Southern Gentleman who loved his family, friends, and his cats! We will remember and cherish the time we had with Roy.
Wanda Roberts
January 19, 2021 at 1:45 am
I have had the pleasure of being Roy Bonner’s caregiver friend someone to argue with someone to say no to someone to order around but it was okay we always got along he would argue with me but it would always be okay cuz I would always win rest in peace Roy Boy you’ll always be in my heart
Love you always till we meet again Rest In the Arms of Jesus
Deana Blankenship
January 18, 2021 at 9:59 pm
An amazing man to all who knew him
💔💔💔.
My daughter Candace Pack adored Mr. Roy and all of her friends and family that met him, felt the very same way about him. He was a true gentleman and that is something that few men can claim. He stood very tall among others. He will be sorely missed by all💔💔💔
Dan Eppinett
January 18, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Phil sorry, for your loss, I know You and Donna have been through some tough times coming back and forth from Round Rock.
Philip R Braud
January 18, 2021 at 2:11 pm
I was blessed with the privilege of working with Mr. Roy for many years. His quiet dignity and work ethic was an inspiration to all that knew him, and his pleasant demeanor made him a joy to be around. Every one of us that knew him are diminished by his passing, but are comforted to know that he has indeed earned his heavenly reward. My sincere condolences to his family and to his many friends – may he rest in peace !