Brett Wayne Bonner

Brett Wayne Bonner, 42, of Cullowhee, NC, passed away on February 16, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Brett was born in Aurora, CO on July 27, 1982 to Robin Wayne Bonner and Lesa Jene Lewis. 

After graduating from Red Bluff High School, Brett worked for California Fish and Wildlife, where he performed salmon studies and, more importantly, fell in love with being on the water and driving boats. Brett began his 21-year career with the Coast Guard in September 2001, serving exclusively at Surf Units. After beginning his career at Yaquina Bay, Oregon, he moved to Hatteras, NC where he met the love of his life. Upon transferring to Station Golden Gate, he qualified as Surfman #421 on January 17, 2009. He finished out his career as an instructor at the National Motor Life Boat School in Cape Disappointment, WA and as Executive Petty Officer at Station Oregon Inlet, Nags Head, NC. He saved many lives serving among an elite group of boatswains mates, earning six Coast Guard Commendation medals over his career. 

Brett had many passions in life including sports, cooking, and making others feel important, but Brett’s true passion was his family. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Jenna Leigh Wike Bonner and his four children, Kayleigh Lane, 16, Campbell May, 15, Wyatt James, 12, and Tucker Lee, 7. He loved spending time with his family, whether it was waiting for Tucker to come through the door to do homework each day after school, throwing the ball with Wyatt and Tucker in the yard, cheering for Kayleigh at soccer matches, or being poolside at swim meets with Campbell. He was the definition of a family man and sacrificed endlessly for them. 

He is also survived by his mother Lesa Weathers (Randy) of Red Bluff, CA, his father Robin Bonner of Greeley, CO, his grandparents Nadine Lewis, Jack and Marcella Bonner, all from Red Bluff, CA, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his mother and father-in- law, Brent and Lane Wike, brother and sister-in-law, Jared and Nicole Wike, and 4 nieces and a nephew (Ava, Noah, Andie, Payton and Addisyn). He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Alvin Lewis. 

A celebration of Brett’s life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Webster Baptist Church, Sylva, NC with a visitation from 11:00am-1:00pm with services to follow. Graveside interment will be held at Wike Cemetery on Wike Cemetery Rd in Cullowhee immediately following the service. 

For those friends and family who cannot attend in person, Webster Baptist Church will be offering a live stream of the memorial service via their online platform which can be found here, https://www.youtube.com/@websterbaptistchurch1685

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Webster Baptist Church Building Fund in Sylva or Summit Charter School in Cashiers, NC.