The holiday season is often a time of joy and togetherness, but for country music star Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, this year brings a bittersweet tone. As Thanksgiving fades into Christmas, the memory of Bunnie’s beloved father, Bill, who passed away in May after a courageous battle with cancer, looms large in their hearts.

Bunnie and Bill: A Complex Relationship

Alyssa “Bunnie” DeFord was born on January 22, 1980, in Houston, Texas. From the ages of five to twelve, her childhood unfolded amidst the chaos of a rock ‘n roll lifestyle in Las Vegas. Her father, Bill, was a struggling musician grappling with alcoholism, creating an environment that was far from ideal for a child.

When Bunnie turned twelve, life took a dramatic turn. Her father and stepmother found religion and adopted strict rules, banning secular music and restricting access to anything rated above G. While her stepmother taught Bunnie valuable life skills, their relationship was fraught with tension, marred by verbal and physical abuse.

After a traumatic encounter where Bunnie was ambushed by three girls, her father decided to teach her how to defend herself. Determined that she wouldn’t lose another fight, Bill spent two weeks in their backyard, coaching her on the basics of self-defense.

Leaving Her Father’s House at 14

Bunnie’s teenage years were tumultuous. Often angry, she found herself in frequent fights at school. By the age of 14, she made the life-changing decision to leave her father’s house and essentially ran away. She never returned.

Despite their rocky relationship, Bunnie and her father found their way back to each other over the years, maintaining a bond that stood the test of time. Bill even appeared as a guest on her podcast multiple times, showcasing the connection they managed to rebuild.

Bill’s Battle with Cancer

In 2022, Bill received a devastating diagnosis: stage 4 cancer. For a year, he quietly fought the illness, keeping his condition private even from close family members.

When Bill finally opened up to Bunnie about his diagnosis, she shared the heartbreaking news with her followers. “I received one of the worst calls yesterday that shook me to my core. My dad has been silently battling Stage 4 cancer for the past year alone with just his wife,” Bunnie revealed. “He insisted no one know so he could try to heal it himself because he’s into holistic remedies. Sadly, the cancer has now spread into his bone marrow, and his bones are breaking. He can’t lift his arms, walk, barely eat, and he’s in so much pain you can’t even hug him.”

@xomgitsbunnie It hits a little harder today for some reason, I dont think ibe grieved the loss from both my parents yet. 🕊️ Thankful for my widdle family 🤍 #bunnieandbill ♬ Pronk – Jax_Canniff

Following the diagnosis, Bill moved from Texas to Tennessee to be closer to Bunnie and her husband, Jelly Roll. The family shared his journey publicly, inviting fans to witness his strength and resilience as he faced the illness.

Bill’s Final Days

By November 2023, Bill entered hospice care. Though he showed remarkable progress with palliative treatment, the inevitable couldn’t be avoided.

On May 8, 2024, Bunnie shared the heartbreaking news of her father’s passing. “Hey Bill, I’m going to miss you,” she wrote. “You are still my favorite rock star and my hero. This one’s going to hurt.”

Accompanying her post were photos of Bill playing guitar, sharing moments with a young Bunnie, and receiving sweet cheek kisses from her and Jelly Roll.

Why Bunnie Wasn’t at Her Father’s Side

In an emotional episode of her podcast, Bunnie opened up about her father’s final days and revealed why she wasn’t by his side when he passed. According to Bunnie, their last disagreement stemmed from Bill confiding in her that his wife had been abusive toward him.

“I — rightfully so, as his daughter — stuck up for him, and he turned on me because of that,” she explained. Adding to the heartache, Bunnie wasn’t informed when Bill was readmitted to the hospital shortly before his death.

Anger and grief consumed her, particularly toward her father’s wife, Suzanne, whom she believed had kept her away from Bill. “I texted her, and I was like, ‘How dare you take my dad from me? And not only that, but my dad’s so sick that the last conversation I’m going to have with him is me being mad at him?’”

Despite her efforts to reconcile, even arranging for a private jet, Bunnie wasn’t able to make it to say goodbye.

Reflecting on Thanksgiving

The holidays have always been a poignant time for Bunnie and her father. In a heartfelt social media post, she shared a video from Thanksgiving 2023, a holiday especially significant to Bill.

“Thanksgiving was always the time my dad would show up,” Bunnie wrote. “We could go the whole year without speaking, but no matter who he was with, he’d always pop up on Thanksgiving.”

She reflected on their final Thanksgiving together, knowing in her heart it would be their last. “In this video, I knew it would be our last one together,” she shared. “I just didn’t realize it would hurt like this today.”

Finding Comfort and Support

Through this difficult period, Bunnie has found solace in the outpouring of love and support from her fans. One follower captured the sentiment beautifully, writing, “Sending you all the love. Bill is sitting at a different table this year, watching from above.”

As Bunnie navigates the waves of grief, the support she’s received from her community has been a source of strength. It’s a reminder of the power of connection and the comfort found in shared love, even during the toughest of times.

Let’s keep Bunnie and her family in our thoughts as they continue this journey of healing. Every message of love and prayer makes a difference. Together, we can help lift her spirits. 🙏