Willis Rayborn Bonner, 73, of Columbus, MS passed away Sunday, September 17, 2017, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2017, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at 1:00 PM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Douglas Tilley officiating, Rev. James Gardner Assisting, and Bro. Kenny Gardner. Interment will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Bonner was born June 6, 1944, in Chickasaw, AL to the late Thames Crayton Bonner and Mamie Lou Holliman Daniels. He was a 1962 graduate of New Hope High School. Mr. Bonner acquired his Associate's degree in 1964 at EMCC, Scooba, MS and also attended Mississippi State University. He worked at Baldor Electric as a supervisor for many years. Mr. Bonner married his wife Patricia McKellar Bonner on December 24, 1965. He loved and enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. Mr. Bonner always participated in Crappie-thon and placed to go to Crappie Masters. Mr. Bonner finished 2nd place in the National Championship. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Baldridge of Columbus, MS and his grandson, Benjamin Bonner of Spruce Pine, NC and his sister, Evelyn Tilley of Ethelsville, AL.

Mr. Bonner is survived by his loving wife- Patricia McKellar Bonner of Columbus, MS; son- Richard (Brenda) Bonner of Tupelo, MS; daughters- Patricia "Sissy" Baldridge of Columbus, MS, Doris (Gary) Jefferson of Columbus, MS, and Michelle (Randy) Bonner of Spruce Pine, NC; brother- Wayne (Cissie) Bonner of Arlington, TN; sister- Alethea Williams of Columbus, MS; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Stokes, Larry Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Arnold Tilley, Donald Tilley, and Adam Hickman. Honorary pallbearers will be Emmitt Johnson, Fred Davis, Randy McIntosh, Vernell Davis, Kendell Hill, Willie J. Bradley, Coy Mitchell, David King, Ronnie Owens, Clifton Bishop, Bill Betts, Kevin Williams, Dale Reese, Robert Clark, Jimmy Harris, Butch Edmonson, Harvey Sykes, Lawrence Wilson, Sean Curry, George (Bubba) Boykin, Pat McKellar, Wayne McKellar, Allen McKellar, Albert McKellar, George Bass, Scoot Wycoff, Charlie Jones, Randy Bonner, Suzie Tate, and Terry Cockerall. An honorary mention of special friends, Tim Truill, David Andrews, Freddie Tate, Ken Lawrence, Arthur Smith, Antonio Henery, Tony Flye, Wayne Flye, Johnny Holliman, Ricky Wilson, Mike Smith, Gary Beatty, Jerome Stephenson, Jimmy Dillard, Gene Coleman, Tim Sykes, Bobby Beasley, Otis Terry, Scott Wycoff, Tate De, and Robert Moore.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 815 Market Street, Galveston, TX 77550.