Billie Hugh Bonner, fourth child of Tom Robinson Bonner and Annie Laura Willard, was born in Fairfield on August 31, 1921. He was always called Hugh and was "Buddy Hugh" to his nieces and nephews. Some of Hugh's tales included someone calling Tom to report that Uncle Offie was drunk and needed to be taken home and Tom sending Hugh to perform the task. He attended Fairfield Schools but quit in 1938. He moved to Bonnerville and spent a year helping his cousin Billie Bonner after his Uncle Jim Billie's death. Tom and Laura bribed him with a new horse and saddle to return to school and graduate; he did. Tuck remembered once when Hugh and some of his friends dyed their hair in Laura's bathroom. His main memory was of "all that ‘sand' Mama raised about her towels." Hugh and Joyce May Watson, daughter of Marvin Lee Watson and Sallie S. Manahan, were married on January 30, 1942. They were parents of three children: Billie Hugh, Jr.; Frank Watson; Sara Joyce. Hugh served in the United States Army during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Holding the rank of staff sergeant, he was wounded at Iwo Jima in 1945. His military decorations included: Asiatic-Pacific, Philippine Liberation, Occupation, and Japan Victory Ribbons; two Bronze Stars; the Good Conduct Medal; three Overseas Service Bars; three Bronze Arrowheads; Combat Infantry Badge; Purple Heart. When recalling Hugh's return from the War, Joyce told the following: "I went to Austin to wait for Hugh because we didn't know for sure when Hugh would get there. When I knew exactly when he would be there, I called Mr. Tom and he drove down immediately to bring us home. As soon as Hugh arrived, he said, ‘I need a beer.' He got one and so did Mr. Tom. I thought, ‘Oh, Lord. I have an alcoholic for a husband and now his father is drinking, too.'" A life-long cowboy, Hugh operated extensive ranching interests both in the Stewards Mill area and along the Trinity River. Joyce saved all Hugh's military pay and most of hers. This enabled them to purchase their land along the Trinity River. Years later Joyce's brother John told her that when the River Land was bought Marvin, Joyce's father, said, "That Boy will be paying for that the rest of his life." They paid for it within three years. His brand was the Diamond H. His brother Tuck recalled, "Papa always said that Hugh sat on a horse just like Grandpa Bonner." In later years, he served as director of Freestone County Farm Bureau and the First National Bank of Streetman (and later Fairfield). Hugh was known for his wit and ability to defuse situations with humor. He often had interesting ways of expressing ideas that made people appreciate his meaning as when he pronounced vigorous as "VI grus." He often encouraged others to wear sunglasses during the hot, dry summers to make the pastures look greener. Hugh was an active member of Fairfield-Harmony Presbyterian Church. In semi-retirement, Hugh and Joyce enjoyed traveling and toured much of the United States and part of Europe. Hugh died on April 13, 2001 in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas and was buried in the Bonner Cemetery.
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"Corsicana Daily Sun" Sunday April 15, 2001
Hugh Bonner
Hugh Bonner, 79, of Fairfield passed away Friday, April 13, 2001 in Corsicana.
Services were held Saturday at Capps Memorial Chapel with Dr. Jim Gooch officiating. Interment was at Bonner Cemetery in Fairfield.
Pallbearers were Sonny Schick, Wendon Morrison, Jessie Earl Jones, Jody Bonner, Warren Awalt, Andy Warren [sic Bonner], Gene Wilson and Leslie Reid Bonner. Honorary pallbearers will be Bud Whatley, Jerry Robinson, Joel A. Bonner, Marvin Watson, Jr. and John Watson.
Mr. Bonner was a life member of the VFW and a Farm Bureau director. He was a former director of the First National Bank of Fairfield, a Boy Scout leader and an Elder at Fairfield-Harmony Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bonner is survived by his wife Joyce Bonner of Fairfield; daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Joe Wren of Fairfield; sons and daughter-in-law, Billie Hugh Bonner, Jr. and Frand [sic Frank] and Alice Bonner all of Fairfield; brother, Tom "Tuck" Bonner of Fairfield; sister, Annie Laurie [sic] Wood of Fairfield; grandchildren, Danny Wren, Michael Wren, Tyler Bonner, Anna Bonner, Laura Bonner, Billie Hugh Bonner, III, and Dr. Tom Robert Bonner, all of Fairfield, and Barbara Sue Bonner of Caddo, Okla; and great-grandchildren, Kyler Bonner, Sutton Bonner, Hadley Clower, Guthrie Clower, and Kacie Clower.
Arrangements by Capps Funeral Chapel, Fairfield.