​Wake services for Robert Lee Williams Sr. will be held Friday, May 12, 2020 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel , 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

​Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates to limit the number of attendees at all services at this time. We are limiting the number of attendees to no more than 10 at the funeral home chapel services and graveside services. We thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.

Robert Lee Williams Sr. was born May 17, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Jessie H. Williams and Minnie Lee Williams. After moving from New York in the mid 1960’s, he lived in Buena Vista, Georgia until he graduated from high school. He was a 1974 graduate of Marion County High School and was a retired Aviation Electronics Technician Chief in the United States Navy. He was married to Michelle Johnson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina for 13 years.

His naval career began June, 1974 where he served aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) in Yokosuka, Japan for three years. During the course of his 20-year career, he traveled the world and experienced many cultures. His dedication to his country led him to complete additional tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a civilian contractor.

On Saturday, May 30, 2020, Robert departed this earthly home at Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in Phenix City, Alabama. We wish him eternal peace.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Minnie Williams; his sister, Gwendolyn Williams Jackson and his brother, Cecil Lanier Williams. He was Commander of the American Legion, 3rd District, Post #309, Buena Vista, Georgia and was a member of the Buena Vista Riders motorcycle club for several years.

He leaves a legacy of inspiration and love to his family. He leaves to cherish his loving memory two sons: Robert Lee Williams, Jr. of Whitakers, North Carolina and Ryan Lanier Williams (Alicia) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and five grandchildren: Jaedyn Williams of Whitakers, North Carolina, Sea’ Williams of Whitakers, North Carolina, Armani Morris of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Azelah Williams of Whitakers, North Carolina and Ryan Lanier Williams, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is survived by three siblings: Jessie H. Williams, Jr. (Patricia) of San Diego, California; Thomas Williams (Rhonda) of Columbus, Georgia; and Selenia Williams Johnson of McDonough, Georgia; and ten nieces and nephews: Terence Lanier Johnson (Kiara) of Atlanta, Georgia, Marcus Lanier Johnson of McDonough, Georgia, Jaime McWilliams of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, James Marshall of Raleigh, North Carolina, Jasmine Davis of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Citara Peoples of Petersburg, Virginia, Shonica Joyner of Whitakers, North Carolina, Shenna Johnson of Greensboro, North Carolina, Tionnia Williams of Columbus, Georgia and Tabitha Groggins of Columbus, Georgia. He is also survived by a host of relatives and friends.

We will all miss his smiling face, his laughter, his giving spirit and his willingness to help whomever he could whenever he could. He is at peace now and will truly be missed. 

​Robert Lee Bonner Sr., age 75, 223 Cotton Street, Marshallville, Georgia passed Wednesday morning, June 3, 2020 in the surrounding of his family.

A wake service will be held from 6:00-7:00 P.M., Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, Inc., 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, June 7, 2020 at Colonel Felton Cemetery, Broad Street, Marshallville, Georgia. The Reverend Victor Johnson, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, will officiate.

Please be mindful that we will adhere to all government recommendations and mandates to limit the number of attendees at all services at this time. We are limiting the number of attendees to no more than 10 at the funeral home chapel services and graveside services. We thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.
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The family will receive visitors from 5:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2020 and Friday, June 5, 2020.

Robert Lee Bonner Sr. was born April 25, 1945 to the late John Henry Barner and the late Reatha Mae Preston Barner. He was preceded in death by five siblings, J. D. Barner, George Barner, Morris Barner, Juanita Ellison, and Emma McGhee. 

He was a 1966 graduate of the historic D. F. Douglass High School. He attended Fort Valley State College for two years before enlisting into the United States Army in 1974. During his tenure in the military he was the recipient of several medals and ribbons. He was honorably discharged with a rank of E-4 at Fort Myers, Virginia in 1978. He was also honored to serve as an honor guard to the Unknown Soldier Tomb of Arlington, Virginia. After being discharged from the Army he was employed at Warner Robins Air Force Base where he was employed with the Federal Service Defense Logistic Agency Defense Distribution Depot as a distribution and receiving clerk. After twenty one years of service, he was the recipient of Federal Service Award (Government of the U.S.A.) for twenty-one years of loyal service presented August 1, 2000. He was also given the Appreciation Certificate for the loyalty of service to his country and the Disabled American Veteran Award.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers at the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where he supported every facet of the church he loved so well.

He had a tremendous voice and he was a led singer with the Fantastic Gospel Sons of Montezuma, Georgia and the Hebrew Gospel Singers of Marshallville, Georgia.

He was united in holy matrimony to Mary Alice Paster and to this union they were blessed with two children. He was blessed to be the father of six children.

Robert will always be remembered for his bright smile, humble spirit, the love for his wife, children and grandchildren.

Survivors are a beloved wife of thirty nine years, Mary Alice Bonner, Marshallville, Georgia; six children and their spouses, Latonya Ages (Terry), Ft. Valley, Georgia, Joyce Jackson (Robert), Providence, Rhode Island, Robert Bonner, Jr, Atlanta, Georgia, Karlita Bonner, Perry, Georgia, Gary Colbert (Amanda), Warner Robins, Georgia and Victor Bonner (Maquita) Montezuma, Georgia; fifteen grandchildren; four sisters, Willie Pearl Preston (Willilam) Ft. Valley, Georgia, Pearlie Mae Burke, Montezuma, Georgia and Reatha Preston, Marshallville, Georgia, Annie Postell, Ft. Valley, Georgia; one brother, Charles Smith, Marshallville, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary C. Harris, Marshallville, Georgia, Ernestine McGhee, Ft. Valley, Georgia, Oscar Paster (Jessie Mae), Marshallville, Georgia, Betty Ferguson, Akron, Ohio and Betty Harris Paster, Marshallville, Georgia; one uncle, Otis Harris, Marshallville, Georgia; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, others relatives and friends. 

Special Thanks to Carlton Brown, Warner Robins, Georgia, Kenny Ross, Marshallville, Georgia, Central Georgia Cancer Care, Warner Robins, Georgia, Hospice Care Option of Warner Robins, and other health care facilities.