William Roy Boner

William Roy was a devout Christian man with high morals. He was a carpenter, a coal miner, played in the town band, (cornet), played a mandolin which his daughter, Mary Jane Boner Stanhouse now owns, was a water commissioner, was active in Republican politics, (Committee Chairman and more), etc. He was one of the main men (night crew boss) who helped rebuild the First Baptist Church in West Frankfort, IL when it burned down during the 1940's. The church was totally rebuilt with donated labor and was built without any debts when finished. He was a deacon of this church. He resided at 212 East Elm Street in West Frankfort from 1912 to 1962 or 63. He died at home in the house he built which was ordered from Sears Roebuck Catalog. He and relatives assembled the home. He liked to garden, raised bees for the honey for his family, raised glads for his wife, Mary Belle, to use in her flower arrangements used at the church. Before he was married he helped run a store with his uncle in downtown, West Frankfort. He was working there at the time of his grandmother's death, Mary Ann Harper Boner. Roy was a strong supporter of Rev. Theron King when he was pastor of First Baptist Church.