William M. Bonham Dies at 69; Rites Held Nov. 25

William McLane Bonham, 69, who had become almost a legendary figure through 
his kindnesses and benefactors to the ill and the poor died November 23 at Southern 
Inyo Hospital from the effects of a stroke suffered late last week.

The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. November 25 in Santa Rosa Catholic Church 
in Lone Pine.  Officiating was Father Henry Zegwaard and Elks Lodge No. 16?? of 
Bishop of which he had been a member since 1950.  The Elks also held graveside 
services in Mt. Whitney Cemetery.

Unless ill himself, Bill never missed a day visiting patients at Lone Pine's two 
hospitals bringing them cards and gifts and running errands for them.

To out-of-town patients he was "Mr. Lone Pine".  He often explained that strangers 
confined to the hospital by accident or illness needed a friendly word ever more than 
those who could be comforted by friends and relatives.  He gave them friendliness in 
abundance.

Bill was born January 19, 1901 in Santa Rosa and moved to Lone Pine at the age of 
15 to live with two brothers; Wilbur and Ben, both now deceased.

He was married June 9, 1928 to Bernice Lubken who died in 1956.

During his lifetime Bill had worked in the ranching business and as a miner.  He 
owned mining properties, one of which the Santa Rosa was named for the city of 
his birth.  In recent years he had assisted his son, Bennie in the operation of 
the Lone Pine agency of the Los Angeles Times.

Community recognition of his contribution to the unfortunate was given last moth 
when the Chamber of Commerce asked him to serve as grand marshal of the Lone 
Pine Stampede parade.  As he rode proudly at the head of the parade he was able to 
greet practically everyone along the line of march by his or her first name.

Besides his son, Bill is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Vincent (Bettie) 
Halamacek of Lone Pine, Mrs. Walter (Alberta) Clement of St. Cloud, Minn., and 
Mrs. John (Blanche) Comino of Riverside; a brother, Leon Bonham of Nelson, 
Calif.; a sister Aurelia Bonham Piedmont; nine grandchildren and several nieces 
and nephews.

Pallbearers for the funeral will be William Tonkin, Ted Etcharren, Tom Noland, James 
Ayers, Duane Warth of Los Angeles, and Wilfred Cline of Silver Springs, Nev.  
Arrangements are in charge of Owens Valley Mortuary.

The family has suggested memorial contributions to the Special Equipment Fund, 
Southern Inyo Hospital.

The Inyo Register, Bishop, Inyo County, California
Thursday, December 3, 1970 – Page 12
Transcribed by Pat Houser for Inyo County GenWeb, July 15, 2005