The Oak Ridge Boys are speaking out about the loss of longtime member, Joe Bonsall, who was 76 years old when he passed away on July 9, from complications from ALS. Bonsall was a member of The Oak Ridge Boys for 50 years, retiring from touring in January as his disease progressed.
Duane Allen, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden share their thoughts on the loss of their longtime friend and band member.
“When I look at Joe Bonsall’s life, I see a life fulfilled,” Allen says. “The son of two military veterans, raised to become street-smart in the hood-influenced neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents taught him that he could be anything he wished to be if he worked hard, told the truth, and trusted in God.
“Joe could do anything he set his mind to do, but what impressed me the most was the energy, love, and compassion he put into everything he did and his unique gift to communicate those emotions and feelings into every performance, song, and book,” he continues. “Joe was ‘that’ best friend that every person hopes to have in his life.”
Sterban reflected on his longtime friendship with Allen, which began before either of them was part of The Oak Ridge Boys.
“For many years, Joe was my best friend,” Sterban shares “We knew each other long before we both became members of The Oak Ridge Boys. He was a special person, who was loved by everyone and was a true inspiration to us all. He was also the best singing partner a person could have. For several years he bravely fought a terrible disease and was a trooper right up until the very end. There is no doubt that today, he is in a much better place – at HOME with Jesus. I will see you soon my dear friend.”
Golden is also mourning the unexpected loss of his son, Rusty Golden, which makes the loss of Bonsall that much harder.
“This has been a week of sadness with the loss of my son, Rusty Golden, and now the loss of our brother and our partner of over 50 years, Joe Bonsall,” says Golden. “Thankfully we have the memories made and the songs that we’ve sang together to get us through. It gives me comfort to know that Joe and Rusty are together again. Our prayers are with his family.”
Bonsall, who had been performing sitting down due to the progression of the neuromuscular disorder, announced at the start of the year that he would not continue with the band’s American Made: Farewell Tour.
“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder,” Bonsall said at the time. “I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years, and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys, band, crew, and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget, and for those of you who have been constantly holding me up in prayer, I thank you and ask for you to keep on praying.”
Per Bonsall’s request, a memorial service will not be held. The family asks that donations be made to The ALS Association or the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
