Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Obituaries of Sgt. John Weldon Bonner
  (8 Jan 1917-16 Dec 1943) 
  
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"Three Hill Countians Are Awarded
Purple Heart Posthumously

Three Hill county soldiers who lost their lives in Italy have been awarded the 
Purple Heart posthumously.

Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Holland of Abbott last week received the award for their son, 
Sgt. Weldon Holland who was killed December 17.

Receiving the awards Monday in Hillsboro were Mrs. Johnnie Rogers, 114 Line Street, 
widow of Staff Sgt. Johnnie Rogers who was killed Dec 2, and Mrs. J. Weldon 
Bonner, 301 North Pleasant Street, widow of Sgt. Bonner who died Dec 16.

Unlike the previous purple heart decorations received by relatives of other men 
which consisted of a metal heart and purple bar the families of the above 
mentioned soldiers received scrolls. Mr. Holland has expressed the belief that 
the scrolls have been substituted because of the metal shortage. No official 
explanation has been given."

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Source - Texas Utility News:

"Killed in Action - Sgt. J. Weldon Bonner

Word has just been received from the War Department that Sgt. J. Weldon Bonner 
was killed in action in Italy on December 16th. Weldon was employed by the 
Company (Texas Power and Light Co.) for three years as a member of the line crew, 
and was the first one of the local Hillsboro employees to go into the service. 
He was inducted with the National Guard, November 22, 1940, and has been with 
the 36th Division since that time. He went overseas early in 1943.

Weldon came to Hillsboro from Fairfield, Texas in 1937. He was married to Miss 
Laverne Strength of Hillsboro on May 3, 1941. They have a baby daughter named 
Dian.

Weldon's many friends in the Texas Power and Light Company extend their sincere 
sympathy to his wife and his family in their bereavement."