Bonnie Ruwet Wilcox

Bonnie Ruwet Wilcox passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2025. She was born Feb 10th, 1943 in Huntington, California to Gretchen and Allan Ruwet. In 1961, she graduated Temple High School and became a professional seamstress while she attended Pasadena Junior College and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona part time. Receiving straight A’s in her undergraduate work, she, along with her husband Tom Wilcox, were accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. In 1968, she graduated as their first woman valedictorian of Veterinary Medicine. Bonnie and Tom owned the Preemption Veterinary Clinic in Preemption, Illinois where she specialized in small animal diagnostics and care. They raised three children while running this practice for over 30 years. Combining their expertise and friendship, Bonnie and co-author Chris Walkowicz wrote five books on various aspects of Dog ownership and health, one of which won a National Pet Book of the year. Bonnie bred and showed German Shorthair Pointers and was the past President of the German Shorthair Pointers Club of America.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years Tom Wilcox and is survived by her three children, Dr. Rebecca Wilcox of Shelburne, Vermont; Clayton Wilcox of Athens, Georgia; and Amy Zoe Wilcox of Santa Fe, New Mexico and four grandchildren Isaac and Edgar Cohen, Hoyt Wilcox and Bard Edrington VI.

The family would like to thank the staff at both Overlook Village in Moline, Illinois and Orchard at Athens in Athens, Georgia for several years of wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, please donate your time and resources to a needed cause. Please consider: www.avmf.org, a non-profit organization that funds veterinarian research and provides scholarships for veterinary students; or German Shorthair Pointer Rescue.

Please join us for a celebration of life for both Bonnie and Tom Wilcox on August 2nd, 2025 at Overlook Village from 4:30-6pm.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com