Mrs. Bonnie Phares Herren

August 19, 1920 - August 11, 2017

Bonnie Phares Herren of Willow Springs passed away on Friday, August 11, 2017, at Strafford Care, Strafford, Missouri. Born on August 19, 1920, in West Plains to Frank and Ethel (Calbert) Lilly, she was 96 years and 357 days old. Bonnie grew up in the Hutton Valley community. After graduation from Willow Springs High School, she worked locally until moving to Baltimore, Maryland, where she worked at Martin Aircraft, building planes for the war effort as a real-life Rosie the Riveter. After returning to Willow Springs, Bonnie later married Allen Phares and eventually went to work for Rawlings Sporting Goods. Starting in the late 1960s and until her retirement, she worked as a clerk at Padgett Hardware in Willow Springs. A lifelong Southern Baptist, Bonnie was an active member of both Trinity Baptist and First Baptist Churches. Bonnie was a strong supporter of the Willow Springs community and schools. An avid (if not rabid) fan of Bears sports, she seldom missed a football or basketball game until well into her 80s when her health failed. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Jack Lilly, a sister Betty Hedrick, and three husbands: William Sooter, Allen Phares, and Denver Herren. Bonnie is survived by her daughter Carolyn Griva (Chuck) of Charleston, South Carolina; a son Chuck Phares (Pat) of Rogersville, Missouri; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter. A visitation will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 16th, with funeral services to follow at 2:00, both being held at the First Baptist Church in Willow Springs. Burial will follow in the Willow Springs City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com