Bonnie Ruth (Wheetley) Hill closed her eyes on Earth and immediately drew in her first heavenly breath in the wee hours of May 7, 2019. Free from pain, Bonnie met Daddy at the Eastern Gate and is now enjoying eternity with her Jesus and all of her loved ones who have gone before.
Bonnie (79) was born on February 28, 1940, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Harold and Faye Wheetley. The fifth of six offspring, Bonnie attended school in and graduated from East Prairie High School in East Prairie, Missouri. After high school, Bonnie lived in Annapolis, Maryland, while working in Washington DC. She later followed her parents to Sunnyside, Washington.
Bonnie met her future husband, Ron Hill, in Sunnyside when he was helping roof her parents’ house. After falling in love, they were married on May 20, 1960, in Wapato, Washington, upstairs in the old Napa Auto Parts store, which used to be the church. The couple soon welcomed four children, two boys and two girls. ‘Woman,’ as Ron called her, was the love of Dad’s life. Ron and Bonnie were married for 56 years before Ron passed away in 2017, and mama has been ready to join him since that day.
Bonnie was a long-time member of both First Baptist Church, Union Gap, and First Baptist Church, Wapato. She loved attending services, visiting with friends and family, and catching up on her quota of hugs.
Bonnie was a homemaker supreme, extremely talented in cooking for crowds, preserving fresh produce, feeding her family, sewing, crafting, and loving people. When her children were in high school and out of the home, Bonnie worked at a computer store and managed St. Vincent de Paul in Union Gap. Upon retirement, Bonnie and Ron enjoyed caring for their Wapato home, and to the surprise of her children, spent time visiting American and international locations. They finally sold their home, purchased a fifth wheel trailer, and traveled the roads of adventure. They eventually settled in the Wenas Valley on the foothills of Mt. Clemens, next door to Tracy Jo and Kip, where they lived until they moved to the Big House upstairs.
Bonnie loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy. She loved play dough, tea parties, and snuggling babies. She never met a baby or child she couldn’t get to smile and always adopted friends and neighbors into her family. Mom was the instigator of hugs and claimed numerous hugs and “I love you’s” whenever she had guests, visited someone, or went to church.
Bonnie is survived by her children, Angie Quantrell (Kevin), Mark Hill (JoRae), Tracy Jo Poggemeyer (Kip), and James Hill (Nichola); 17 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Sunny Greene, Claudia Harper, James Wheetley, and Helen McElderry; numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of beloved extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, her parents, and her brother Ray Wheetley.
Some of Mama’s last words were, “The curtains aren’t ready yet!” Mama, the curtains are finished, and your mansion is ready. Though we have a mom-sized hole in our hearts, we are rejoicing with you. We love you to the moon and back. When it’s our turn, we’ll meet you and Dad at the Eastern Gate.
The family would like to offer sincere thanks to the caring staff at Cottage in the Meadow and all who visited, stayed, brought flowers, snacks, and loved on our mama in her final days. We truly appreciate your love and prayers.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Bonnie Hill on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at 11:00 AM, at the First Baptist Church in Union Gap. Please join us as we celebrate and remember Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Sister, Auntie, and Friend.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com
