Alex Bonner  Odie Alex Bonner (July 17, 1926, Marks, Mississippi-April 1, 2003) was a radio and television and broadcast media executive. His career spanned over 40 years at RKO and its Memphis ABC affiliate stations WHBQ-AM-FM and WHBQ-TV. Bonner graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943 and served as a Cadet Midshipman (officer) aboard U.S. Merchant Marine tankers and freighters. Bonner later served as Master Sergeant for the United States Army until he was honorably discharged in 1947.