Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


JOEL ANDREW BONNER, SR.
November 25, 1924 - December 1, 2012

Joel Andrew Bonner, Sr., 88, of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, December 1, 
2012 at his residence. Mr. Bonner was born November 25, 1924, in the Stewards 
Mill community of Freestone County; to parents, Jim Billie and Nannie Belle York 
Bonner. He was a graduate of Fairfield High School. Mr. Bonner went into the U.S. 
Navy on November 22, 1944 and served aboard the U.S.S. Medusa AR-1 which was 
the Navy's first purpose built repair ship. Much of his time aboard ship was 
spent in the Philippine Islands during the last few months of WWII. On March 
11, 1946 while home on leave Mr. Bonner married Lillie Mae Lansford in Wortham, 
Texas. Following 66 years of marriage Mrs. Bonner preceded him in death on 
November 29, 2012; one week before his death. During their years together Mr. 
Bonner worked as an auto mechanic, a planner with TXU power plant in Fairfield 
and a part-time rancher. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church 
of Fairfield. In addition to his parents and wife Mr. Bonner was preceded in 
death by a sister, Laura Belle Bonner; three brothers, Jim Billie Bonner, Jr., 
Samuel Laird Bonner and John Y. Bonner. 

Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Joel (Jody) Andrew Bonner Jr. and wife 
Barbara of Fairfield; Larry Lansford Bonner of Longview; five grandchildren, 
Jason Andrew Bonner of Bryan-College Station; Joel Matthew Bonner of Fairfield; 
Larry Kent Bonner and wife Sarah of Mexia; Aimee Michele Posey and husband 
Michael of Fairfield; Tiffany Kay Ellis and husband John of Longview; seven 
great-grandchildren, Larry Kent Bonner, Jr., Karlie Bonner, Michael Blake Posey, 
Paige Michele Posey, Addison Elise Posey, Dylan Anderson and Coen Andrew Ellis; 
a sister, Hope Baker of Fairfield; one brother, Albert Thomas Bonner of Fairfield. 

Visitation
Sunday December 2, 2012, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Capps Memorial Chapel 

Graveside Services
Monday December 3, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at Bonner Cemetery 

FACTS
Born: November 25, 1924
Place of Birth: Stewards Mill Community
Death: December 1, 2012
Place of Death: Fairfield, Texas