Bonnie Stansbarger Willard (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Bonnie Rose Biggs was born on March 24, 1931, near Lebanon, Missouri to Frank and Rosa Biggs. She was the youngest of ten children. She made her home in Lebanon, Missouri her entire life. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1948.
Bonnie was married to Robert “Bob” Stansbarger on March 5, 1949. They shared 54 years together until Bob’s death in 2003. They had three daughters; Linda, Sherry and Cathy. Bonnie’s love for her daughters was evident in the care, sacrifice, support and unconditional love she had for her girls. She was a provider, a taxi, a teacher, a friend and an example of strength and determination. She was the most wonderful mom in the world and a role model for her daughters.
After Bob’s passing, Bonnie married Truman Willard in 2007. Having known him since high school, they found one another and enjoyed seven happy years of marriage prior to Truman’s death in 2014.
Bonnie lived her entire life in Lebanon, Missouri. She was a beautician for over forty years, owning her own business known as Bonnie’s Beauty Palace for many of those years. Those she worked alongside her and those she served became her extended family and friends remaining so throughout her life.
A Charter member of the First FreeWill Baptist Church in Lebanon, Bonnie was active in church throughout her life. She diligently raised her daughters in the church and was faithful to attend until her health problems prohibited.
Bonnie spent many years bowling with her friends on a weekly bowling league. She had fun on the occasional weekend getaway to tournaments
Since life had slowed her down a bit, she enjoyed reading, watching and listening to Gospel music on television, the Andy Griffith Show and a little afternoon nap.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Stansbarger, her husband, Truman Willard, her daughter Cathy Bowers, a son-in-law Bud Perkins, her parents Frank and Rosa Biggs. Also, her brothers Charley Biggs and Laverne Biggs, her sisters Ada Minkler, Edna Mulliken, Ethel Irish, Ruby McAllister, Gladys Montgomery, Dorothy Mosier, and Kathleen Krueger.
Bonnie is survived by her daughters Linda McQuerter and husband Doug of Linn Creek, Mo. And Sherry Martin and husband Scott of Camdenton, Mo. Grandchildren Lori (Joe) Loth, Stacie (Brant) Reed, Kelly (Lianne) Perkins, Tim (Sherri) Perkins, Todd (Becca) Perkins, Brandi DeWald and Lance Bowers as well as ten Great-Grandchildren; Alex, Jake, Shelby, Regan, Christian, Haydon, Hanidee, Huxson, Abigail and Emerson. Several nieces and nephews, along with extended family survive.
The past few years, Bonnie made her home at Lakeside Meadows Retirement in Osage Beach. She was comfortable in her little “house” as she called it. As her health deteriorated she was content and patient (for the most part) to wait until God was ready for her in her forever home.
A memorial has been established to the First Freewill Baptist Church.
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