William Joseph ‘Bill’ Bonifay

October 4, 2023

William Joseph “Bill” Bonifay, Jr, 79, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Bill was a direct descendant of Marianna Pingrow Bonifay of the founding families of Pensacola, FL. He was born in Pensacola, FL on April 22, 1944, into a Navy family, traveling much of his early life. He graduated from Tate High School in 1962 and served honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict rising to the rank of E-5. In 1969, Bill married his beloved wife, Charlotte Nowell of Pensacola.

Bill worked most of his life as an Electrician, became a certified Thermographer and retired from Air Products in Pace, FL after 31 years. He spent much of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s volunteering for the Boy Scouts of America where he was a past leader at the Troop, Council, Regional, and National levels. Bill served in the Ducks Unlimited programs for the youth, the National Rifle Association for the youth, was an Amateur Radio Operator, sponsored the Local Amateur Radio Field Day, was Past President of a local Gun Club and of a local Amateur Radio Repeater Club.

He was a member of the Ensley Masonic Lodge # 278 and was a 32nd degree Mason. Bill became a member of the Pensacola Scottish Rite on April 7, 1982, and a Perpetual member, 33rd degree. He was a member of the Past Knights of Saint Andrews, was Past President of the North Escambia Club, Past Commander of the Council of Kadosh, completed the Member Training program, the Master Craftsman program and received several Double Eagle Awards.

Bill became a Noble of the Hadji Shrine Temple on November 12, 1988, where he helped raise funds for the Children’s Hospital. He served as a Scottish Rite Liaison, as the Hadji Chief Teller, and received the Hadji Scimitar Jewel. Bill was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Gertrude Bonifay, as well as his sister, Susan Bonifay.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Charlotte Bonifay; two sons, Jason and Dustin Bonifay; a sister, Ann Kidwell; as well as his nephew, Lyle Simmons and niece, Julie Simmons.

Visitation will be held from 2:00pm until the Funeral Service to begin at 3:00pm Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Bill Flanigan officiating. A funeral procession will depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel at 9:30am for a Graveside Service to begin at 10:00am Friday, October 6, 2023, at Barrancas National Cemetery, with Army honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hadji Children’s Transportation Fund, 800 W. 9 Mile Rd., Pensacola, FL 32534.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Select Specialty Hospital of Pensacola, FL and West Florida Coronary Care Unit for their excellent care and support.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries