William L. Bonnar

William L. Bonnar, age 99, went to be with our Lord on Monday, October 17, 2016. He was surrounded by several of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. William was born on October 30, 1916 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was born to Francis and William Bonnar Sr.. William was the oldest of four children. At an early age, William was taught the responsibility of being a big brother. According to him, he was their protector, lifter of heavy objects and doer of things too strenuous for girls.

He received his elementary education at Beltzhoover School and his high school education at South Hills High School where he was very actively engaged in sports and lettered in soccer. He also excelled at basketball, track and field and swam free style and breast stroke on the swim team. He had a wonderful childhood and learned early by his parents’ example of “The golden rule” about the wonderful meaning of love and respect for one’s fellow man.

His father was a carpenter by trade and a builder of homes. He taught William many skills such as carpentry, plumbing, wiring, cement finishing, brick laying, plastering, roofing, painting, and, possibly most of all, the joy of being able to build with his own two hands.

After he graduated in 1935 from high school, there was very little employment to be had and college was financially out of the question so he went to work in a stone quarry.

William was married to Audrey Mae Vaux on February 1, 1937. In his own words it was a financially irresponsible thing to do but he had a good excuse: He was very young and head strong. And very much in love! Together, William and Audrey raised three children. William Howard, Carolann and James Lawrence.

Shortly after he married Audrey, William started working for the Carnegie Steel Co. where he was employed until 1946. He then, realizing that he wanted a better life for his family, entered the real estate business. He continued with this profession until 1957, when he and his wife and children moved to California.

In California, William worked as a milkman, a shoe salesman and an automotive service attendant before he gained employment for the Orange County Probation department, where he retired from.

After retirement, William and Audrey traveled across the United States for several years before settling down in Bellingham, WA.

William loved golfing, boating, waterskiing, playing softball, going to the gym, yardwork, singing, spending time with his family and playing poker.

William and Audrey were married for over 64 years before she was taken to be with our Lord in 1998. Very sadly, Carolann (William’s daughter) lost her fight to cancer in 2011 and joined her mother in heaven. With a broken heart, William found his way to move forward and continue living his life. He volunteered at Axton Automotive, continued going to the gym, made new friends, and made wonderful memories with his grandkids, great grandkids and great-great grandkids. During his last two years he lived at Spring Creek Retirement home. He loved living there and everyone there was very kind to him.

William, whom so many lovingly called Pupup, nearly made it to his 100th birthday. He wanted a big party with all his family and friends, and lots of cake and ice cream.

He will surely be missed by all.

William was preceded in death by his great grandson Thomas, his wife Audrey, his daughter Carolann, his grandson Mike, his son-in-law Ron, his great- great grandson Deegan, and his sister Margaret.

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The Family

Adored wife: Audrey Mae Bonnar

Sisters: Margaret Pearce, Audrey Wagner and Claralou (Darrell) Evans

Children: Bill (Shirley) Bonnar, Carolann (Ron) McGrady, Jim (Jenny) Bonnar.

Grandchildren: Scott (Olivia) McGrady, Pam (Lee) Hall, Kristine (Brian) Cauley, Kim Bonnar, Cindy McGrady, Mike Brugmann, Liz (Matt) Standow, Sam McGrady, Corrie Bonnar, Meghan Bonnar.

Great Grandchildren: Breeanne (Matt) Chapman, Katie (Chris) Meehan, Michelle Warner, Amanda (Nick) Kennedy, Jessica (Steve) Longbottom, Lindsey (Stephen) Gutenkauf, Mikey Brugmann, Jennifer Shore, Sarah (Kyle) Working, Matthew Foster, Andrew Shore, Katie (Jordan) Tsiao, Thomas Foster, Chris McGrady, Patricia Standow, Susan McGrady, Amanda Standow, Kaitlynn Standow.

Great-Great Grandchildren: Christina Barbera, Caleb Brugmann, Aiden Reida, Natalie Prince, Jacob Kennedy, Hunter Chapman, Zachary Gutenkauf, Cadence Chapman, Audrey Meehan, Abigaile Longbottom, Aziah Dodson, Lily Brugmann, Ryder Kennedy, Deegan Chapman, Hope Longbottom, Weston Working, Zane Chapman, Lucas Meehan, Scarlett Gutenkauf.