Mr. J. Bonner Paul

Mr. J. Bonner Paul, Sr., retired to his heavenly home on November 23, 2007 with 60+ years with Paul Funeral Home. Mr. Bonner served on the N.C. State Board of Mortuary Science and the N.C. Burial Association Commission. He was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award presented by the Rotary Club. On June 19, 2003, he was awarded the North Carolina Funeral Director Association Honorary Membership given in recognition and appreciation for his support and contributions to the advance of the association and practice of funeral service. On July 30, 2006, his 90th birthday, he was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, awarded by Governor Michael F. Easley and presented by Representative Arthur Williams. On October 16, 2007, he was presented a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the members of District 2 for grateful appreciation for his professional service and dedication to the advance of funeral service.
Mr. Bonner was a life-long member of the First Christian Church in Washington. He was the longest term member of the Bunyan Ruritan Club, a member of the Orr Lodge # 104 A.F. & A.M., the Beaufort County Grange, Tau Tribe 19, I.O.R.M. and was one of the charter members of the Washington Jaycees. Mr. Bonner was a part of the group, which brought Washington under the City Manager/City Council form of government. He served several terms as Beaufort County Coroner before the county came under the Medical Examiner System. Mr. Bonner was successful in managing the family’s two funeral home locations in Belhaven and Washington. Today, both locations stand as a monument to his integrity and expertise as a compassionate funeral director and businessman. His desire to be remembered as “A Friend to All” was exemplified in his daily life both in and out of the office. We truly lost “A Friend to All” with the death of Mr. J. Bonner Paul, Sr.