Joe Bonsall, one of the lead members of The Oak Ridge Boys, passed away at the age of 76 from complications related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bonsall had retired from the group’s touring in 2023 due to his illness.
Joe Bonsall and the other Oak Ridge Boys members were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Prior to that, in 2000, the quartet was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
On September 23, 1982, Joe Bonsall married his beautiful bride, Mary Ann Bonsall, and they were married for over 40 years. The couple initially met in 1978. Joe shared some interesting memories from their first meeting on Twitter to commemorate their 41st anniversary. He wrote on his personal social media page: “She smiled at me as I sang ‘You’re the One in a Million’ and she became just that. We married on this day in 1982 and thankfully she still smiles at me. I love this woman more every single day and I will love her throughout eternity. I could not live down here without her. Happy Anniversary to my Mary! I pray that God gives us many more years together if it is his will.”
In 1998, Joe Bonsall and Mary Ann formed the Joseph Sloan Bonsall and Mary Ann Bonsall Foundation in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The foundation’s most recent reported revenue was $10,862. Over the years, the foundation has supported numerous reading initiatives across the country, as well as animal shelters and pet education programs. Joe and Mary were Tennessee football enthusiasts, and whenever Joe was in town, they would go to Titans games together. Unfortunately, their marriage ended with the tragic demise of Mary Ann’s husband, Joe Bonsall.
Bonsall revealed in 2022 that he nearly died from pulmonary embolisms. “I could have easily died last weekend but God is not through with me yet,” Bonsall tweeted. “I am home now after 6 days in the hospital battling pulmonary embolisms. My recovery could take a while. Thanks for the prayers and love shown.”
Bonsall is survived by his wife Mary Ann, children Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great-grandsons, Chance and Grey, and sister Nancy. His parents, Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lily Bonsall, preceded him in death.