James Bonner Jr.

Jim was born on January 24, 1939, as the first of two children to the union of the late Margaret and James Bonner, Sr. James attended Schenley High School and took great pleasure in serving as the head of his class reunions for many years after graduating. He so loved and cherished the friendships with his fellow Spartans, that he chaired the Reunion Committee for 50 years and he’d return from every reunion full and happy. Jim also valiantly served two tours in Okinawa, Japan as a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. Fearless and confident in who he was, Jim was a man of standard who believed in doing things the right way. Truly, he enjoyed the warmth of the people and the culture. Upon returning to Pittsburgh from his military deployment, James met Ruth Jones. Together, they gave the world their daughter, Bonnie. He built his home in the Hill District and he worked for Williams & Company for 30 years before retiring. During his time with Williams and Company, he also used his strong negotiation skills and his no-nonsense approach as an officer of the United Steel Workers Union. He fought adamantly and diligently for the protection of employee rights and quality standard of living. Jim was loyal, hardworking, family-oriented and humble. Family was everything to him. Jim was charitable and always gave to family as well as the community to help address hunger. He was a lifelong Steelers fan (GO STEELER NATION!) and an early embracer of social justice. James was only ever a phone call away, even if it made for an interesting ride home. As an avid cook, he would arrive to visit family and raid the fridge to cook them a meal. His circle was small and tight, but his loyalty was boundless. The first to arrive and the last to leave at a family function or in time of trial. He traveled near and far to stay connected to those he loved. You could always, always count on Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Margaret, and sister Joyce (Peaches) Davenport. James leaves to cherish his memory a devoted daughter, Bonnie Jones, and her children, Brandon (Candice) Hendrix and Morgan (Donall) Willis, and adored grandchildren Ava, Jameson, Levi, and Micah Hendrix; his nieces Debra Brookes and Ronnetta Thompson; great-nieces and nephews Monet, DeMario, Dominick, Devlin and Sebastian, and 5 great-great nieces and nephews, along with a host of loving extended family and friends. “Remember, that in every person you meet, there is a little piece of God in them...that is who you talk to... first you have to find that person in yourself

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Bonner Jr., please visit our floral store.