A former Bethelite sent me some interesting information regarding the Heaths. It seems that Joe Lubeck, showed his personal film to the entire Bethel family on Family night sometime in the 1980s or early 1990s. According to my friend:
"Lubeck said he was the gardener and handyman at Beth Shan when he was young. The film showed Rutherford walking with an old man who Lubeck identified as Mr. Heath, president of Coca Cola, who Lubeck said financed and gave as a gift to Rutherford, Beth Shan. Lubeck was emphatic when he stressed that Watchtower had nothing to do with the building of Beth Shan. He definitely stated that this gentleman was not a JW. Most Bethelites who saw the film were shocked because the majority did not know there was a place called Beth Shan in WT history, including most people in the Executive Offices. This was a topic of conversation for days after the film was shown. Joe Lubeck's wife was named Rose. He may still be alive living at Bethel.
"Also, a relative of Bonnie Heath told me that she lived out her later years in Atlanta, GA. This shows that the early connection of Heaths to Georgia continued until Wm and Bonnie's death.
"That same relative told me that Mr. Heath gave Rutherford his Cadillac cars that were parked in Beth Sarim's garage. It is well documented that Bonnie's husband was always Rutherford's driver of the cars. Also, I was told that Bonnie's husband had no money at that time because Coca Cola had been sold. Bonnie's husband was known to be a drunk! Perhaps support of Bonnie and Wm Heath by Rutherford and the Watchtower, later on, continued because of the gift of Beth Shan to Rutherford by Mr. Heath Sr. It is not inconceivable that an arrangement was set up and the Heaths received regular monthly checks from the WT until death because WT is very loyal to those who were part of the inner group in the early years during tough times. To this day, very few people know that certain ex-Bethelites receive money as special pioneers although they do not pioneer. The money is a reward for spending years of faithfulness in Bethel in a prominent position, but had to leave because of illness, etc.
One of Bonnie's sisters, a JW, married a man by the name of Black. He was at one time president of The World Bank. She entertained diplomats and politicians placing WT books with them. I remember her telling her physician, a JW, about her experiences witnessing to those in the world of wealth and power."
The above information may explain why William Heath Jr. lost his job as plant manager and why he was so quickly taken into Rutherford's inner circle. One can imagine the good times the two men must have had over a bottle of Jack Daniels. Bonnie's sister may also be a promising lead. Being married to the president of the World Bank, there may be more information out there about her and her family than we realize. Anyway there is more research to do.