The holiday season often brings joy and togetherness, but for country music star Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, this time of year holds a bittersweet significance.

As Thanksgiving passes and Christmas nears, the memory of Bunnie’s cherished father, Bill, who passed away in May after a brave battle with cancer, looms heavily in their hearts.

Bunnie and Bill: A Complex Relationship

Alyssa “Bunnie” DeFord was born on January 22, 1980, in Houston, Texas. From ages five to 12, she lived amidst a chaotic rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle in Las Vegas, led by her father, Bill, a struggling musician battling alcoholism. It was far from a nurturing environment for a child.

When Bunnie turned 12, everything changed. Her father and stepmother embraced religion and imposed strict rules, banning secular music and restricting anything above a G rating. While her stepmother taught her valuable life skills, their relationship was strained, marred by verbal and physical abuse.

Following an incident where Bunnie was attacked by three girls, her father decided to teach her self-defense. Determined to make sure she wouldn’t lose another fight, Bill spent two weeks in their backyard teaching her the basics.

Leaving Her Father’s House at 14

Bunnie struggled with anger as a teenager and often got into fights at school. At 14, the tension reached a breaking point, and she decided to leave her father’s house, essentially running away. She never returned.

Despite their tumultuous relationship, Bunnie and Bill eventually reconnected. Over the years, they rebuilt their bond and always had each other’s backs. Bill even appeared as a guest on Bunnie’s podcast multiple times, reflecting the closeness they shared.

Bill’s Cancer Diagnosis

In 2022, Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. For a year, he fought his illness quietly, but as his condition worsened, he confided in Bunnie.

“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 w/just his wife,” Bunnie shared. “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 & he’s in so much pain you can’t even hug him.”

Following the devastating news, Bill moved from Texas to Tennessee to be closer to Bunnie and her husband, Jelly Roll. The family shared his journey with fans, documenting the highs and lows of his battle with cancer.

Bill’s Final Days

In November 2023, Bill was placed in hospice care, and while he made significant progress with palliative treatment, the outcome was inevitable. On May 8, 2024, Bunnie shared the heartbreaking news of her father’s passing.

“Hey Bill, I’m going to miss you,” Bunnie, 44, wrote. “You are still my favorite rock star & my hero. This one’s going to hurt.”