William "Bill" Charles Bonham
How do you know William? Please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Bill transitioned peacefully at his home in Wimberley. He was born in San Angelo, Texas to Charles Wm. Bonham, Sr and Sydney Allen Bonham. Bill lived in Hawaii, Guam, Japan and the Philippines as his father was career Air Force. After 15 years of moving his family settled in southern California. He enjoyed surfing with his good friend, Ron Piper, and was a member of Pacific Sea Surfing Assn. From 1966-1968 he was in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam.
He began his career in construction in 1968 and moved to Napa, California to work as a restoration specialist at Stag's Leap Historical Ranch and Winery. Two years later he moved to San Marcos studying Industrial Arts at SW Texas State College where he made many long time friends. The college employed him to do restoration work on campus and at Freeman Ranch.
Bill never left this area and built two homes in Wimberley and two homes in Blanco. He incorporated many unique features such as sculpted flowers on the outer walls and added fossils, stones, bricks and petrified wood into his original fireplaces. All of his homes were surrounded by beautiful gardens and fruit trees. He also made yard art, specifically armadillos, flowers and hats. Examples of his stone work are all over Wimberley. You may remember his smiling face and blue eyes if you stopped by his produce stand in front of his home on RR 12.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by two sisters; Nancy "Sugar" Lee (David), Oakland, TN, Celeste "Ginger" Bonham, Rocksprings, TX, nephew David Lee (Sara), Newellton, LA, and dear friend Judy Bradbury.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 15 at Old Glory Ranch in Wimberley from 1-4 p.m. If you knew Bill and have memories to share of this uniquely artistic man, we invite you to come join us and share your thoughts.