John was affectionately called "Peter Rabbit" by many who knew him. He was a 1970 graduate of Wacoochee High School in Salem, Alabama. At an early age he accepted Christ and joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Valley (Beulah Community). John enjoyed life. His passion was "Truck Driving".

His survivors include: two sons, Reginald V. Bonner and Ladarius S. Bonner and his former wife, Earline Mathews all of Salem, AL; his daughter, Kandice; mother, Hattie Will Davis, Columbus, GA; five grandchildren, Brandon Williams, Jada Armstrong, Machel Bonner, Ka'Mel Bonner and Kayden Bonner; three brothers, Elmer J. Bonner, Willie Davis and Donzell Davis all of Columbus, GA; three sisters, Mary B. Nathan and Brenda Davis both of Columbus, GA and Essie Walker, Tallahassee, FL; two aunts, Mary Thomas, Opelika, AL and Dorothy Rushin, Phenix City, AL; five great-aunts, Nan Cochran, Louise Walker, Elease Carter and Estella Davis all of Valley, AL and Rhoda McCulloh, Opelika, AL; and, a host of other loving relatives and friends.