1943
William
2011
William L. Bonnette, Jr.
October 16, 1943 — April 28, 2011
FRANKLIN (LAKE CARMI) - William Lawrence Bonnette, Jr, age 67, passed away Thursday afternoon April 28, 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 16, 1943 in Norfolk, VA the son of the late William L. Bonnette Sr. and Jeanne Margaret (Giroux) Bonnette.
Bill grew up in Richford and was a 1961 graduate of Richford High School. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1961 serving during the Viet Nam War aboard the USS Raton receiving an honorable discharge in 1964. Bill began a career with the U.S. Border Patrol in 1964 and held various positions around the country including Border Patrol Agent, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, Criminal Investigator, Supervisory Immigration Officer in Charge and Supervisory Criminal Inspector. He worked in Calexico, Sacramento, San Diego and Livermore, California; Albany and Buffalo, NY; Fairfield, ME; St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands; and at the Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington DC.
He helped lead one of the nations finest paramilitary police forces while serving as the Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol and Deputy Assistant Commissioner in Washington, DC. As the Deputy Chief Patrol Agent he worked from September 1979 through October 1986 and as Deputy Assistant Commissioner from October 1986 through July 1992. Bill culminated his career as the Chief Patrol Agent of Livermore, CA in March of 1995.
As a highly regarded professional in the area of border protection Bill was contracted to work as a Senior Advisor to the Republic of Georgias Georgian Border Guard. He worked from June - December of 2004 as an in-country advisor thereby making his professional career international in scope.
Bill was a member of the American Legion Post # 12 of Richford. He enjoyed sailing, playing tennis and his beloved pets.
Bill is survived by his wife, Melissa (Mallory) Bonnette of Franklin. Bill and Melissa were married June 24, 1992. He is also survived by his daughters, Nicolle Bonnette of Williamsburg, VA and Autumn Walker and her husband Andy of Perkinston, MS; his siblings and their spouses, Sharon & Rosaire Larose of Enosburg Falls, Robert Bonnette of Trenton, NJ, Edmond & Darlene Bonnette of Sicklerville, NJ, Richard & Toni Bonnette & Michael Bonnette all of Haddonfield, NJ, Jean Paul & Linda Bonnette of Sewell, NJ, James & Lyana Bonnette of Erial, NJ, Michelle & Joe Baldino of Somerdale, NJ, and Jaclyn & Dane Brewer of Hagerstown, MD; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved companions, Dobi & Max. He was predeceased by his mother, Jeanne Bonnette on March 27, 1977; his father, William L. Bonnette Sr on July 23, 1983; his son, Christopher Bonnette on September 15, 1990; and his sister, Suzanne Melchiorre on July 15, 2003.
In keeping with Bills wishes he will be cremated and there will no public funeral services or visiting hours.
Bills family would like to give many thanks especially to the compassionate hospice caregivers of the Franklin County Home Health Agency. For those who wish, contributions in Bills memory may be made to the Franklin County Home Health Agency - Hospice Program, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478
He was born October 16, 1943 in Norfolk, VA the son of the late William L. Bonnette Sr. and Jeanne Margaret (Giroux) Bonnette.
Bill grew up in Richford and was a 1961 graduate of Richford High School. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1961 serving during the Viet Nam War aboard the USS Raton receiving an honorable discharge in 1964. Bill began a career with the U.S. Border Patrol in 1964 and held various positions around the country including Border Patrol Agent, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, Criminal Investigator, Supervisory Immigration Officer in Charge and Supervisory Criminal Inspector. He worked in Calexico, Sacramento, San Diego and Livermore, California; Albany and Buffalo, NY; Fairfield, ME; St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands; and at the Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington DC.
He helped lead one of the nations finest paramilitary police forces while serving as the Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol and Deputy Assistant Commissioner in Washington, DC. As the Deputy Chief Patrol Agent he worked from September 1979 through October 1986 and as Deputy Assistant Commissioner from October 1986 through July 1992. Bill culminated his career as the Chief Patrol Agent of Livermore, CA in March of 1995.
As a highly regarded professional in the area of border protection Bill was contracted to work as a Senior Advisor to the Republic of Georgias Georgian Border Guard. He worked from June - December of 2004 as an in-country advisor thereby making his professional career international in scope.
Bill was a member of the American Legion Post # 12 of Richford. He enjoyed sailing, playing tennis and his beloved pets.
Bill is survived by his wife, Melissa (Mallory) Bonnette of Franklin. Bill and Melissa were married June 24, 1992. He is also survived by his daughters, Nicolle Bonnette of Williamsburg, VA and Autumn Walker and her husband Andy of Perkinston, MS; his siblings and their spouses, Sharon & Rosaire Larose of Enosburg Falls, Robert Bonnette of Trenton, NJ, Edmond & Darlene Bonnette of Sicklerville, NJ, Richard & Toni Bonnette & Michael Bonnette all of Haddonfield, NJ, Jean Paul & Linda Bonnette of Sewell, NJ, James & Lyana Bonnette of Erial, NJ, Michelle & Joe Baldino of Somerdale, NJ, and Jaclyn & Dane Brewer of Hagerstown, MD; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved companions, Dobi & Max. He was predeceased by his mother, Jeanne Bonnette on March 27, 1977; his father, William L. Bonnette Sr on July 23, 1983; his son, Christopher Bonnette on September 15, 1990; and his sister, Suzanne Melchiorre on July 15, 2003.
In keeping with Bills wishes he will be cremated and there will no public funeral services or visiting hours.
Bills family would like to give many thanks especially to the compassionate hospice caregivers of the Franklin County Home Health Agency. For those who wish, contributions in Bills memory may be made to the Franklin County Home Health Agency - Hospice Program, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William L. Bonnette, Jr., please visit our flower store.
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