Hubert Bonner Herren, Jr., 91, of Williamsburg, Virginia, died peacefully on June 11, 2026, at Hospice House of Williamsburg, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with heart failure.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Hubert Herren. He is survived by his adoring wife of sixty-eight years, Annie Bettie Card Herren, and their three sons, H. Bonner Herren, III; David Carleton Herren and his wife, Colleen; and Daniel Christopher Herren. He also leaves behind his grandson, Dewey Herren; granddaughter, Sophia Herren; great-granddaughter, Violet Herren; beloved brother, Thomas Hood Herren and his wife, Becky; beloved sister, Marilee Hedges and her husband, Dan; as well as many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Throughout his life, the Church was his cornerstone, beginning with the Baptist Church of his youth and continuing into the Episcopal Church. His faith journey included the Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves, Missouri, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Wilton, Connecticut, and finally, Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Bonner was a gifted artist, first recognized at the age of nine when he received a seven-year scholarship for free drawing lessons at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He enjoyed cartooning from an early age and even illustrated the class prophecy for his graduating class at Lamar High School. He later transitioned to painting landscapes, European street scenes, and the occasional portrait. Family and friends especially looked forward to the Christmas card Bonner designed each year, a tradition that reflected both his creativity and his thoughtfulness. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1957 with a degree in Business Administration. While there, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, the Texas Cowboys honorary service organization, and the R.O.T.C. He remained a lifelong fan of Texas Longhorn football.
Bonner married Annie Bettie at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin following graduation. After a honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico, he spent six months serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Lee, Virginia, followed by seven years in the Army Reserves. The couple then settled in Houston to begin their family.
They spent the next ten years in Houston before a promotion relocated the family to Webster Groves, Missouri, for three years. A subsequent promotion took him to the corporate headquarters of The Diamond Match Company in New York City, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. The family chose to settle in Wilton, Connecticut, where Bonner navigated a one-and-a-half-hour daily commute to the city when he was not traveling throughout the “Great 48.” After eighteen years, he retired from corporate life and became a commercial real estate agent with Hastings Associates in Westport, Connecticut, serving clients throughout Fairfield County.
In Wilton, Bonner dedicated himself to community service, holding leadership roles in the Wilton Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, United Way, the YMCA, and the Wilton Historical Society. One joyful highlight of his volunteer service was riding an elephant into the circus tent for a Kiwanis-sponsored fundraiser.
Above all, his greatest joy and primary focus was his family. He was deeply involved in the lives of his three sons, supporting their sports, Boy Scouts, and Indian Guides activities. He and Annie Bettie also shared a lifelong love of gardening. Bonner spent countless hours planting, pruning, building stone walls, and tending what he proudly considered a fine lawn. A perfect end to his day was enjoying a beautiful sunset and a meal from the grill shared with family and friends.
In 2004, Bonner and Annie Bettie retired to Governor’s Land on the James River in Williamsburg, Virginia. They cherished twenty-two wonderful years there, reconnecting with old friends, making many new ones, painting, golfing, gardening, and exploring the rich history of the area.
A memorial service and burial will be held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. A reception will follow in the Parish House. Service can be viewed here.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, 201 Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185; Hospice House of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188; the VCU Health/ Pauley Heart Center; or a charity of one’s choice.
