For many years they lived in a mobile home while Pete worked construction. He married Lena Fay Canady on 4 June 1949 in Streetman, Texas. Family was important to Pete and he remembered many stories and connections like his parents, he kept a close eye on the Bonner Cemetery. Most people recognized Pete by his usual attire of overalls and a hard hat. During haying season, Pete worked from sun-up to sun-down seven days a week. His ranching interests on inherited land consumed a great deal of his time and at one time he operated a hay baling crew. Pete's skills included carpentry and mechanics. He worked on the family farm, at Daniel's gin, several service stations, and was employed for several years by James Whittle Construction Company of Dallas, Texas which necessitated his family living in Lubbock, Abilene, Austin, Carrollton, and Dallas. The military provided training in electrical, telephone wiring, truck maintenance. Lewis Washington, he was housed in the same barracks used by his uncle, John L. C, 67th ET-BN and received training in electrical and other skills. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1942 and in 1945 joined the United States Army serving in Co.

Before he began school, his parents moved their family to 'the Ely Place' on FM 27 in Fairfield.

When he was young, he worked an old mule named Pete and somehow the name stuck. While Yates is his Grandmother Willard's maiden name, only the older generation called him by both names. Carl Yates 'Pete' Bonner, fourth child of Paul Young Bonner and Lula May Willard, was born at Bonnerville, Texas on 3 June 1924.

Penc scholarship carl bonner