Raymond Everett Bonser

Ray was born in South Gate, California on September 26, 1930 to Bert Bonser and Alta Clark Bonser. His parents and sister Emma Bonser Feldman preceded him in death. Ray is survived by his wife of 68 years Cherry South Bonser of Bentonville; his sister Margie Bonser Burke and the late Darius Burke of Englewood, CO; his daughters Rae Ann Bonser Haak and husband Dr James Haak of Niceville, Fl and Diane Bonser Shastid and husband Dale Shastid; Nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Ray enlisted in the US Marine Corps at age 17 going to many places including China and Japan. Ray’s time with the Marine Corps took him in 1950 to Korea and the Chosin area before being wounded and returning to the United States to marry Cherry Faye South April 9, 1951. Ray became a Firefighter for the City of Orange in 1959 rising to the rank of Battalion Chief before retiring in 1983. He worked selling fire apparatus after retiring and was working in Real Estate when he moved to Bentonville Arkansas in 1991. Ray enjoyed traveling with his family, photography and was a member of the Bentonville Church of Christ during his 28 years in Bentonville.