William Bonner, son of James Bonner and Mary Laird, was born in Abbeville Co., SC on 16 April 1783. With limited education and no financial help, started out independently very early in life. He acquired much property and at the same time was educating his brothers and sisters.

William Bonner served in the War of 1812. He was an ensign in Captain Bowen's Company, South Carolina from January 23 to July 13k, 1814. This was a company of Colonel Nash's volunteers. He saw action in the Battle of New Orleans.

He began the accumulation of his fortune as a waggoner operating between Abbeville and Charleston, SC. In Charleston, he met and married Ann Lee Joel on 27 March 1816.

In 1818, William Bonner moved to Alabama and his family joined him the next year. Perhaps he saw this fertile land while on military duty and decided to buy it after the Indians were removed. He settled first in Monroe County and then moved to Wilcox County. Ann Lee Joel Bonner died in 1842 and is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Wilcox Co., AL. William Bonner and Ann Lee Joel were parents of 12 children: Eliza Ann, wife of James Bonner Robinson; Mary, wife of Rev. Joseph McCrery; William Bonner, Jr., husband of Mary C. McArthur; Rev. Thomas Joel Bonner, husband of Harriet Amanda Posey; Margaret "Peggy" Bonner, wife of David Pressly Robinson; Sarah Bonner; Jane Bonner; James Bonner married Mary Julia Newberry; Martha, wife of Dr. James Isaac Bonner; Susannah Bonner, wife of Andrew Samuel Bonner; Keziah "Kid," wife of William Archibald; Samuel Bonner. Jane died as a young bride in 1840 and Sarah and Samuel died as children; they are all buried in Hamburg Cemetery near their mother. The remaining children, except for James Bonner, moved to Freestone Co., TX with their father.

In the 1850s, William Bonner and his brother, Dr. John Bonner, moved their families to Texas. They first settled in Williamson Co. and then moved to Freestone Co. where they purchased thousands of acres of land for their plantations. The sandy-loam soil, abundant timber and fresh water attracted them. William owned more than 100 slaves many of whom manned cotton gins, mills and a shoe factory. Others made brick and furniture.

The Bonner family staunchly supported the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and strictly followed its teachings. William was an organizer of Harmony ARP Church at Stewards Mill, Freestone Co., TX. William Bonner died 1 July 1877 at his home in Freestone Co., TX. He was buried in the Bonner Cemetery located on his land a short distance from his home.

Fairfield Recorder newspaper - July 6th, 1877 edition:

"Died on Sabbath, the 1st day of July, 1877, ten miles north of Fairfield in this county, Mr. William Bonner. Thus another old landmark has passed away from the stage of action. Mr. Bonner came to this county from Wilcox County, Alabama, 24 years ago, and during his long residence here, he has ever been esteemed as a worthy citizen and exemplary CHRISTIAN man. He was born in
Abbeville, South Carolina, and was a captain of artillery under Jackson in the Creek War of 1812. He moved to this county in 1853. He was a consistent member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church and along with the Jones families, is regarded as the patriarch of that denomination."