William Bill A. Bonnett Sr.

Mr. Bonnett was born in Montgomery, Alabama on September 12, 1945 to the late Robert E. Bonnett, and the late Catherine Henderson Bonnett.

Billy grew up in Oak Park, Montgomery, Alabama and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School where played baseball and football. He was nominated twice for the Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award and received the Montgomery Exchange Club Scholarship in 1964. In 2002, he was inducted into the Robert E. Lee Hall of Fame in Montgomery. He was also a ham radio operator for many years. Bill enjoyed boating and fishing at his lake house in Alabama.

Bill earned a BA degree at Jacksonville State University and an MEd at Troy State University in Alabama. His career started in Montgomery, Alabama as a teacher and football, wrestling and track coach. In 1978, he moved to Gwinnett County, Georgia and taught at Parkview where he coached a championship soccer team. In 1982 he transitioned to the pupil transportation department in Gwinnett County. He later served in transportation in Jasper and Fayette Counties. He retired as Georgia State Director of Pupil Transportation in 2004.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Joan Keith Bonnett. Also surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Will and Jann Bonnett, granddaughter, Brooke Bonnett of Snellville,Georgia, a brother and sister-in-law, Nancy Bonnett of Lawrenceville, a sister –in-law, Nancy Bonnett of Birmingham, and a brother-in-law, Bill Keith of Birmingham. Several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews also survive. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Robert E. Bonnett, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Friday July 18, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Eternal Hills Funeral Home in Snellville. A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning, July 19, 2014, at 10 a.m. at St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Snellville. Graveside service will follow immediately at Eternil Hills Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Will Bonnett, Frank Autery, Steve Sutton, Sam Kordares, Robert Bonnett, and David Bonnett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.