Bonham, Harley Paul

Bonham, Harley Paul

Male 1927 - 2018  (90 years)

Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Bonham, Harley Paul 
    Harley Paul Bonham (1927-2018)
    Harley Paul Bonham (1927-2018)
    Illinois State Police
    Illinois State Police
    Birth 24 Nov 1927  Oskaloosa Township, Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    • He was born November 24, 1927, at the family home in Oskaloosa Township, the son of Everett H. and Lena (Allphin) Bonham.
    Gender Male 
    Reference Number BONH.H002 
    _FGRAVE 194585128 
    Funeral 12 Nov 2018  Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Military Service World War II, Technician Fifth Grade, 795th Military Police Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, United States Army  [1, 2
    • Entered service in April 1946. Served with the Provost Marshall, 795th Military Police Battalion in the Philippine Islands during the Japanese war crimes trials in that country. Returned to the U.S. and was discharged in November 1947.

      (This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.)


      Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1642039
    World War II Honoree, Bonham, Harley Paul (1927-2018)
    World War II Honoree, Bonham, Harley Paul (1927-2018)
    Harley Paul Bonham (1927-2018)
    Harley Paul Bonham (1927-2018)
    United States of America Flag, 48 Stars (1912-1959)

    In 1912, two stars were added to the United States flag, representing Arizona and New Mexico, bringing the total number of stars to 48. They were arranged in six rows of eight stars each. American fighting men would fight under this flag during four wars: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the beginning of the Vietnam War. (In 1959,…
    United States Army
    World War II
    (1939-1945)
    Technician Fifth Grade, United States Army and United States Army Air Forces


    (Sep 1942-Aug 1948)


    This insignia was worn during World War II. The Technician ranks were removed from the U.S. Army rank system in 1948, although the concept was brought back with the Specialist ranks in 1955.

    Technician Fifth Grade, United States Army and United States Army Air Forces


    (Sep 1942-Aug 1948)


    This insignia was worn during World War II. The Technician ranks were removed from the U.S. Army rank system in 1948, although the concept was brought back with the Specialist ranks in 1955.

    United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia
    2nd Infantry Division ("Indianhead"), United States Army
    2nd Infantry Division ("Indianhead"), United States Army
    Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007

    On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans.

    Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event.

    This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. …
    Death 8 Nov 2018  Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    • Harley P. Bonham, age 90, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday morning, November 8, 2018, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
    Burial Oskaloosa Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    • Interment will follow in Oskaloosa Cemetery with Illinois State Police and Military Funeral Honors presented. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
    Headstone, Bonham, Harley P.
    Headstone, Bonham, Harley P.
    Person ID I42375  Carl Wayne Gray Research
    Last Modified 25 May 2023 

    Father Bonham, Henry Everett,   b. 1897   d. 1993 (Age 96 years) 
    Mother Allphin, Evalene Myrtle 'Lena',   b. 1909   d. 1985 (Age 76 years) 
    Family ID F16507  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Wildbur, N.A. 
    Children 
     1. Bonham, J.
     2. Bonham, R.
     3. Bonham, A.
    Family ID F16506  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 8 Nov 2018 - Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Harley served in the Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines. He later graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy, continuing on to serve as an Illinois State Trooper for 25 years, retiring from his post in 1982.

      He was baptized into the Shiloh Church of Christ in 1949 and was known for his lifelong commitment to reading and studying his Bible. He was an elder of the church for 70 years and took pride in baptizing all 8 of his grandchildren. He was recognized as an accomplished author and historian of local and American history, publishing and appearing as a resource in countless articles and publications, and was a founding member of the Clay County Regulators reenactment group. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He has served as chaplain for the Sailor Springs American Legion for many years, and will also be remembered for his interest in performing and listening to bluegrass music.

  • Sources 
    1. [S13181] http://www.findagrave.com, Obituary, Bonham, Harley P., 90, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194585128/harley-p.-bonham), none. (Reliability: 2).

    2. [S14875] World War II Honoree, Harley Paul Bonham, (https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1642039) (Reliability: 2).

    3. [S11679] http://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Bonham, Harley P., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194585128/harley-p.-bonham), none. (Reliability: 2).