Born in Washington, North Carolina, Bonner attended school in Warrenton.

He served in the United States Army during World War I, and worked as a salesman, a farmer, and then as secretary to Congressman Lindsay Warren from 1924 to 1940.

The Bonner was purchased by A&R Marine and now operates on Narragansett Bay where it crosses between Bristol and Prudence Island.

This is now known as the East Carolina Scout Reservation composed of Camp Boddie and the Pamlico Seabase.

The portion of the camp on the North side on the Pamlico River still bears the name Camp Bonner and is the regular site of the council camporee for the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America.