Joseph loved the blues, baseball and playing cards. Although his children knew he also served in the Army during World War II, he never told them he was a decorated soldier. "He was a warrior, I guess, but he never talked about it," said his son Raymond Bonner. "We opened the safe-deposit box after he died and found all these medals and paperwork that said they were presented to him. What we don't know is how he earned them." A resident of Detroit, Michigan, he died at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn from complications of several illnesses. He served in the Army from November 1943 to December 1945. Raymond Bonner said the safe-deposit box contained a World War II victory medal, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon, a good conduct medal and two Bronze Stars for meritorious action. "I really don't know what a black man in those days did to get that kind of recognition," Raymond Bonner said. "It makes us proud of him, but we don't know why he didn't talk about it." Mr. Bonner's passion had been caring for his family, and following the fortunes of the Detroit Tigers. He attended True Faith Baptist Church. "He provided for us and anyone else he knew who needed help," his son said. "He was in his glory in 1968 and 1984 when the Tigers won it all. He was in love then, and he suffered with them lately," Bonner said. Born in Palestine, Ark., Mr. Bonner came to Detroit in 1953 for work in the auto factories. He spent 29 years at Chrysler's Dodge Main Plant in Hamtramck. He retired in 1982. Survivors include a daughter, Doris Ann; sons Raymond and Joseph Jr.; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Joseph loved the blues, baseball and playing cards. Although his children knew he also served in the Army during World War II, he never told them he was a decorated soldier. "He was a warrior, I guess, but he never talked about it," said his son Raymond Bonner. "We opened the safe-deposit box after he died and found all these medals and paperwork that said they were presented to him. What we don't know is how he earned them." A resident of Detroit, Michigan, he died at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn from complications of several illnesses. He served in the Army from November 1943 to December 1945. Raymond Bonner said the safe-deposit box contained a World War II victory medal, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon, a good conduct medal and two Bronze Stars for meritorious action. "I really don't know what a black man in those days did to get that kind of recognition," Raymond Bonner said. "It makes us proud of him, but we don't know why he didn't talk about it." Mr. Bonner's passion had been caring for his family, and following the fortunes of the Detroit Tigers. He attended True Faith Baptist Church. "He provided for us and anyone else he knew who needed help," his son said. "He was in his glory in 1968 and 1984 when the Tigers won it all. He was in love then, and he suffered with them lately," Bonner said. Born in Palestine, Ark., Mr. Bonner came to Detroit in 1953 for work in the auto factories. He spent 29 years at Chrysler's Dodge Main Plant in Hamtramck. He retired in 1982. Survivors include a daughter, Doris Ann; sons Raymond and Joseph Jr.; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
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