Griffin Eckle Bonham, 87, of Staunton, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Brookdale – Staunton. He was born June 22, 1928, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the son of the late Wendell Winthrop Bonham and Florence Eckle Bonham and grew up on a farm in Keota, Oklahoma.  He is also preceded in death by his sister, Betty Buford Palmer and grandson, Jonathan Bonham.  Grif was a US Navy veteran and served during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Bonham, son, Wendell Bonham and his wife, Kris, of Charlottesville, and daughter, Nancy Bonham of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren Griffin Bonham and his wife, Hillary, of Nashville, TN, Kirsten Bonham and her fiancé, Andy Theobald, of Falls Church, VA, and Anna Bonham of Charlottesville.

The family wants to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Thomas Shapcott who served as Grif’s physician for many years and provided compassionate care during the final few months of his life. Grif brought joy to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.  He was a good father and husband.  He was an Elder in the church and served a Clerk of Session for several years over the course of his life. He was rarely at a loss for words and could bring humor to almost any situation.