Paul Edward Bonner went to be with the Lord April 27, 2021. He was born in 1938, in Brattleboro, Vt. Paul went to Middlebury College and University of Chicago, receiving a BA in Economics and a Masters in Marketing. Upon graduating, Paul entered into military service, serving for five years of active and reserve duty with the United States Army Signal Corps.
Paul’s business career spanned 38 years. He joked about his first job being a drug dealer, all legal working with Mead Johnson/Bristol Myers. Subsequent to that, he worked for a company that did aptitude testing for industry and for an association specializing in human resource management for more than 5000 member companies. In 1980, Paul was looking to fill an open staff position. At one employment agency, he talked with a young woman named Barbara who was the presenter for that office. They both enjoyed their phone interaction. He asked her out and two years later, they were married and after a honeymoon in Tahiti, settled in La Canada, Calif.
Paul always said the greatest day in his life was in 1985, the day he accepted Yeshua/Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Paul served the Lord being active in men’s ministries, mission trips and serving on the Board of Elders. He was a man of deep faith who loved God, his family and his country. On a business trip, Paul and Barbara discovered the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and decided to retire in Centralia, Wash. After building their dream home, Paul went to work for Love INC (In the Name of Christ), serving this community for 20 years.
Paul was the Executive Director for nine years and was instrumental in raising the funds to purchase their current facility, to double the size of the furniture warehouse and in conjunction with a substantial grant from the Boeing Employees Community Fund, to purchase a truck to be used in the furniture ministry. But his greatest joy came from his work in the Intake Center helping those who called for assistance. He loved being able to share the gospel and pray with them as well as find help for their needs.
When five acres became to much for Paul to handle, he and Barbara moved to Stillwaters Retirement Community where he enjoyed watching others mow the lawn. Paul did not know a stranger and talked with anyone within hearing range. He loved helping others.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; older brother; and his son.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Elizabeth; step-daughter, Tracy; grandsons, Wyatt and Hunter; and granddaughter, Danielle.
