Memorials › Jim Billie Bonner Jr

Jim Billie Bonner Jr

21 Mar 1922 – 6 Oct 1994

Birth21 Mar 1922
Death6 Oct 1994
CemeteryBonner Cemetery
Fairfield , Freestone County , Texas , USA
Added byMichael Edd Bonner on 29 Aug 2009
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16866760

Bio

Jim Billie Bonner, Jr., son of Jim Billie Bonner and Nannie Belle York, was called Billie or Bill and was born at Bonnerville, Texas on March 21, 1922. Billie had pneumonia at the same time as his sister, Laura Belle; there were two beds in the room with one sick child in each bed. Uncle Millen [James Millen Bonner] helped take care of Billie who recovered with no after effects. Although Dr. Billie Sneed and Dr. McFadden from Streetman said there was nothing they could do for Billie, Uncle Millen gave him teaspoons of whiskey and attributed his recovery to that. Billie attended Stewards Mill and Fairfield schools but quit when his father died to run the farm and syrup mill. The next year he got a job driving the school bus and that allowed him to return to school and play on Fairfield's first football team. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1941 and worked for while at an auction sale barn owned by Tom Bonner and Sam Manahan. During World War II Bill served in the United States Army and was wounded while in Germany. This wound caused the loss of his left leg and left eye. The loss of the leg didn't impair his mobility as he used prosthesis. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Rifleman Badge, and one battle star for his service. Forrest Wood, Jr. recalled that Billie got a car with an automatic transmission when he returned and it was a "first" for the area. Billie married Nelma Jean Speed on December 23, 1948. The daughter of Clarence Speed and Jessie Renfro, Jean was born on February 22, 1930 and had worked at First National Bank in Dallas during World War II. At one time they lived at Bonnerville in the house vacated by Nannie when she moved to town. About 1954, they built a house northeast of Fairfield on land they purchased in the Hickory Grove Community. They operated the "Half-Circle J" cattle ranch at Brown's Creek. From 1947 until Billie's death in 1994; Jean and Buck continue its operation, Billie served as Commissioner, Precinct I, Freestone County, Texas. Billie had quite a sense of humor. He once told of showing a man that his new electric cattle prod was no good by using the prod on his artificial leg. Luckily for Billie, nothing went wrong and it was only later that he remembered the leg had steel braces. He also said, "When we all went to look for Uncle Ol, I led the way with my wooden leg in case there were any snakes." Billie died in Fairfield on October 6, 1994 and is buried in the Bonner Cemetery. Billie and Jean were parents of two sons: Jim Billie III; Joe Biffany. ============================================================================== WAR LETTERS FROM BELGIUM Nov 9, 1944 Thursday night Hello Folks; How are you all getting along, I am doing fine.  I had a little time and thought I would drop you all a few lines. I am in Belgium now. I got to see Paris one my way here, and a whole lots of this country that has been torn up. We have heard a good many of those buzzing bombs go over, and some have saw some of them. This country here is about like France and the people too they are real friendly. It been snowing here today and is snowing tonight. The boy from Teague and I took a bath last night in cold water out in the street back of where we are. It was the first bath, and the first time we have had our clothes off in about 15 days.  We were beginning to smell sweet. Got a hair cut from one of the boys today.  I kindly feel like somebody again, but I am afraid this want last long. The last mail I got was written Oct. 12 to 14.  Hope we will get some before long.  It sure would be nice to hear from you all. Jannie how are you doing have you about forgot me.  I will send you a piece of gum, maybe which will help you to remember me. Good bye for now, Bill. ------------------------------------------------- Letter passed by US Examiner 33688, Roy James Envelope; (army green) From: Pvt. Jim B. Bonner 31686306 Company B - 414 - INF - A.P.O. 104 % Postmaster N.Y. N.Y. To: Mr. John Bonner Fairfield, Texas U.S. Army Postal Service Nov 30 1944 104 Nov. 27, 1944 Mon. Morning Hello Folks: How are you all getting along these days, I am still doing O.K.  I haven't had a bath since I left England, and haven't shaved in about a month or better. This is German paper it all I could get. We got a turkey dinner Thanksgiving and it was the best meal that I have had since I left home. And we had steak this morning. I don't know when we will get another meal.  I have eaten so many of these rations, until I think that about all there is to eat.  But we are getting these K rations and they are pretty good. I am sure seeing a lot over here. And it not good. Jane how are you getting along, are you getting any gum for us.  I won't you to have me some saved up when I get back. Well so long folks for now. Tell everyone hello. Love, Bill. ------------------------------------------------------ Nov 29, 1944 Hello Jane, How are you doing?  I am still doing fine so far.  Got to shave and took a pretty good bath yesterday. We have had 3 hot meals lately and were they good. A boy got a pass to Paris and these cards back.  They send back so many of the company way back there Thanksgiving are a pass.  Someone will get to go Christmas and hope I get to go. I got some mail yesterday and was glad to get it. Well so long folks.  I have got to clean my rifle.  I have got to keep this baby clean so she will work when I call on her.  And that not just every now and then. Bye Jane and be sweet. Love, Bill ------------------------------------------------------ Dec. 20, 1944 Hello Folks, I thought I would write you all a letter, for a boy is going back to the states by plane tomorrow, so he said he would mail it back there and it won't have to be censored. Well, I will tell you how I got hurt.  I first got hit all up and down the right leg from a big shell, but nothing serious. Then another mortar shell hit on my left side it broke my shoulder and they got some shrapnel out of my chest, or pieces of steel and I got a pretty bad cut one my cheek bone up under my eye to my temple but my eye is O.K.  Then I started back to get first aid, and I stepped on a mine and blew my left foot off. I felt funny when I got up again and started to go again and found out my foot was gone.  It turned me a flip in the air and I fell in the hole where the mine was on my head. It didn't hurt at all when it happened. Then the first aid boys picked me up and one of them stepped on another mine and he lost his foot and it blew me out of their hands.  And cut two pretty big places on my right arm.  I have a cast from my waist to my neck, and one on my left leg. I got hit Sun. 10. 1944 from 7 - 8. o'clock, A.M.  They were really playing rough, I thought for awhile they were trying to hurt somebody. I stayed in Germany in the Hospital 2 or 3 days. Then they sent me to Belgium and stayed there a day or so, then they sent me here to Paris. I am supposed to leave here by plane in a day or so for England will probably be there a week or so. Then they will send me to the states. This is a nice place here and I am feeling fine - so don't worry about me.  For I feel lucky and thankful to be back here in the shape I am for there were lots that didn't make it  at all. I will be O.K. in a few weeks, and they can fix my foot up to where you can't tell it, and I am lucky enough to get to come to the states. Well I thought I would try to write you this while I could, so you wouldn't be wondering about what was wrong with me. Hope you can read this. Hope you all are well. Tell everyone Hello. Bye now, Love   Bill ------------------------------------------------- [Originial is V-Mail] Mr. John Bonner Fairfield, Texas Jan 8, 1945 England Hello Folks, How are you all making it these days?  I am getting along fine.  Just laying in bed sleeping and reading.  They even bring my meals to me in bed. How are you getting along Lola Jane?  Did old Santa come to see you, or who you to mean a little girl?  I have a package for you of gum I can't chew and wish I could send it to you. I haven't got any mail since the day before I got hurt, and I have been moving around so much I don't know when I will ???? get any again.  I may get some from this address.  That is if I don't leave too quick, but I had mother? leave for I will be headed that way. From what I saw in the papers, I guess they will have ???? before long, if not already.  How do you like this right hand writing.  So long for a while.  Bye. Love, Bill. ======================================================

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