JOHN BONNER WILLIS:

John Bonner Willis, 90, of New Bern died Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern, NC.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Sabra Elizabeth “Pinkie” Willis of the home, his two daughters, Jean W. Abbott and her husband Johnny of Bayboro, Donna K. Riggs and her husband, Dick, of Clayton, and his son, John B. Willis, Jr. and his wife, Sylvia of Manteo, and his dog “Sadie”. His granddaughters, Jamie A. Woodard and Jodi K. Abbott of Bayboro and great grandchildren Jayla C. Woodard and Bryson Abbott Green.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Willis, his mother, Beulah Walker Hardison of Arapahoe, his stepfather Frost Hardison, two brothers, J. Eldon Hardison of Bayboro, Jack M. Hardison of Alliance, and two sisters Eugenia W. Walker of Wilson and Opal H. Ross of Columbus, GA.

He was born in Small, NC, and grew up in Arapahoe. He served in the U.S Navy in World War II. He was a commercial fisherman and worked as a Wildlife Protector for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. He retired from the North Carolina Community College System.

He was a member of Grantham Masonic Lodge No. 725, New Bern for 60 years and a Shriner. He was a self-trained musician and played the fiddle, guitar and mandolin. He and his musician friends loved to play their instruments and sing country songs and songs they grew up with. He loved fishing, hunting and loved meeting people. He never saw a stranger. He loved being at the Bojangles on Glenburnie Drive where he and his friends shared many hours of laughter and friendship.

He is a member of Pleasant Acres Free Will Baptist Church (New Life Church).

His family thanks the staff of CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern and Cherry Point Bay Rehab Center in Havelock for his care during the past several months. Also, thanks and appreciation to the No. 7 Township EMS for their assistance in helping him.

His funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Pollock-Best Funeral Home at 2015 Neuse Boulevard in New Bern. Burial with military honors will be held following the funeral at Greenleaf Memorial Park at 900 River Road in New Bern.

(Obit published in the New Bern, NC "Sun Journal" on Mar. 20, 2015.)