Bonnie Evelyn Morgan

Bonnie Evelyn (Wilson) Morgan—born on August 3, 1931, in Daybrook, West Virginia—lived a life brimming with love, laughter, and adventure. She passed unexpectedly at home in Petaluma, California, on March 30, 2025, at the remarkable age of 93. 

Bonnie was the seventh of a lively bunch of ten children born to Shannon Wilson and Myrtle Ivy Moore—a spirited soul from the very beginning. In the third grade, her father moved the family to Pokey River, near Sissonville, where home was a tin-roofed shanty with wooden floors, canvas walls, and a trusty old outhouse. After two years in Pokey River, the family made their way to Pinch, West Virginia—a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town not far from Elkview. There, Bonnie blossomed. She attended Elkview School from fifth through ninth grade, making friends and memories that never left her. The next move brought them to Charleston, West Virginia.Bonnie began tenth grade at Charleston High, but her heart remained with her Elkview classmates. That summer, she landed a job at the local movie theater and—full of determination and classic Bonnie moxie—convinced her parents to let her return to Elkview High. She paid her own way, riding the Greyhound bus for both eleventh and twelfth grade. Her hard work and perseverance paid off when she graduated as valedictorian, delivering a speech entitled Rolling Stones Gather No Moss. In 1954, while working as a typist for the Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation in Charleston, West Virginia, Bonnie was recruited for an unexpected adventure: chaperoning her younger sister’s, Dell’s, visit to her sweetheart, George Eggleston, an Army cadet stationed in Hondo, Texas. Before she left, Bonnie playfully told her coworkers she was "heading to Texas to meet a man in oil.”

As fate would have it, George arranged a blind date for their dutiful chaperone. The chosen escort? A slightly older cadet who had two things going for him—his age and a maroon 1949 Chevy. When Bonnie teasingly told him she was looking for a man in oil, Verlin “Bob” S. Morgan grinned and replied, “I’m a man in oil. I have 5 quarts in my car!”And just like that, a love story began.For a year, Bonnie and Bob exchanged letters, their affection growing with every word. Bob made the long drive from Texas to West Virginia several times, and on one of those visits, he proposed—right there on Bonnie’s parents’ sofa. She said yes.Bonnie, ever the planner, wrapped up five years at Reuben H. Donnelley, proudly receiving her five-year pin before her “retirement.” She celebrated Dell and George’s wedding on August 5, 1955, and packed her bags for a new life as a pilot’s wife.Before their wedding, Bob was sent to Reno, Nevada, for ten days of survival training. Bonnie quipped, “If you can survive that, maybe you can survive marriage!” Their plan was simple: meet in Reno and make it official.And so, at 3:00 a.m. on August 18, 1955, under the glow of train station lights, Bob greeted Bonnie as she stepped off the train. She rushed into his arms, and together they set off—first for breakfast at the Riverside Hotel, then straight to a Methodist church to say “I do.”

Bob and Bonnie ecstatically welcomed four children into their family: Shauna Reichelt (1956), Michele Magnuson (1958), Robert (Gene) Morgan II (1961), and Janine Morgan (1963-2011) while navigating the whirlwind of military life. There were frequent moves, long deployments, and unfamiliar zip codes, but also endless adventures. The kids grew up crossing the country, receiving curious treasures from faraway lands, and mastering the art of making fast friends.Bonnie, ever the social butterfly, enjoyed playing cards with the other military wives, volunteering for the local library, extensively corresponding with family and friends, dominating at bowling, hosting visiting family, traveling via small airplanes piloted by her husband, cruise ships, a hot air balloon, and a VW Bug. She especially enjoyed her time with her dear friends Geri Maxwell, Pat Favario, and Barbara Fisher.She often said she was “spoiled to perfection,” and anyone who knew her wouldn’t argue. Her home was a whimsical wonderland of treasures—hot air balloons, owls, giraffes, hummingbirds, napkin rings, and angels—each piece handpicked or gifted with love. Every wall and shelf held stories in the form of photographs, mementos, and the faces of those she cherished most.Bonnie also had a fiercely competitive streak, especially when it came to games. Long before screens took over, she was a champion of cards and wordplay. Her family became masters of Skip-Bo, Aggravation, Scrabble, Boggle, and Bananagrams—but heaven help anyone who tried to fudge the rules. Bonnie played fair and played to win—and more often than not, she did.She was adored by those who knew her and loved for her mischievous humor, discerning wit, and zest for life and board games. 

While she has enjoyed life since Bob’s passing in 2003, a co-pilot always misses her pilot. Her family misses her kindness, playfulness, generosity, quick wit, and love of family and friends, but we are so grateful that Bob and Bonnie are finally reunited together forever. Bonnie is survived by her sister, Lottie “Dell” Wilson Shadgett; her children, Shauna Reichelt (John Reichelt), Michele Magnuson (John Magnuson), and Robert “Gene” Morgan; and her grandchildren, Lisa Salvi (Anthony Salvi), Karen Pyles (Lior Gotesman), Rachel Schillreff (Rodnie Schillreff), Brenda Bender (Jarrod Bender), Taylor Morgan, and Jagger Morgan.In addition, Bonnie was blessed with six great-grandchildren, whom she lovingly adored: Bailey Naasz, Paxton Schillreff, Andrew Salvi, Emma Salvi, Violet Gotesman, and Aubrey Bender.Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Verlin “Bob” Morgan; her daughter, Janine Morgan; and eight siblings listed in birth order: Sybil Wilson Chisler, Enos Wilbur “Bill” Wilson, Ethel Lenore “Peg” Wilson Jones, Freddie James “Jim” Wilson, Betty Wilson Pauley, Benny Ralph “Ben” Wilson, Richard Dale Wilson, and Martin Raymond “Ray” Wilson. 

A Memorial Service celebrating Bonnie’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 30th 2:30 pm, at Redemption Hill Church, located at 2100 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Following the service, guests are invited to enjoy hot cocoa and cookies in her honor—a sweet tribute to a sweet soul. Flowers, one of Bonnie’s favorite things, are warmly welcomed. Alternatively, donations may be made in her name to a breast cancer research organization of your choice.