He was born July 21, 1929, in Chicago. He married Sarah June Stephens in Nashville, TN, on August 22, 1942. They recently celebrated their 58th anniversary. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Tillman and Mary Elizabeth Bond, his infant son, brothers-in-law, Paul Stephens, Jean Stephens, and Roscoe Stephens (Anna Lee). Their marriage was blessed by four children, William Bond Jr. (Rae), Eileen Laudadio (Frank), David Bond (Karla), and an infant son who died at birth. He is survived by grandchildren Daniel Bond, J.D.; John-Michael (Emily) Bond, Shawn Allen, Matthew Bond, Alyson Bond, Vittoria (Dave) Parker, Jennifer Laudadio, M.D., (Ethan Cantwell-Igleheart), and two great-grandchildren, Sophia Faith and Bryce Andrew Parker; and sisters-in-law, Louise Stephens and Elizabeth Stephens Hawke.
Bill graduated from Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Sigma NU Fraternity. Bill worked for Sears across the Southeast from 1952 – 1972. He worked for Southeastern Credit Corporation and Equifax from 1972 to retirement in 1992. He started the first Credit Union at Equifax.
Bill and June lived in Jacksonville, Florida and Augusta, Atlanta, Albany, and Marietta, Georgia. They moved to Chattanooga in 1994.
Bill was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Augusta and was a deacon at Wieuca Road Baptist in Atlanta. In Chattanooga, Bill joined Ridgedale Baptist Church, where he served faithfully in the Prayer Room and in the Friendship Sunday School Class.
Bill fought a courageous fight against Parkinson’s Disease for nearly 18 years, including deep brain stimulation surgery in 2005. Fighting this disease he demonstrated the extraordinary characteristics that were the hallmark of his life: profound faith in God, quiet dignity, a love of his family, a lovely and sometimes unexpected sense of humor, and tenacity and compassion that touched all who knew him.
He taught his children and grandchildren many life lessons: Know your Bible and your God; Don’t beat up your sister, she’s your sister for the rest of your life; Prejudice is never acceptable; and Give everything to your family and children. He taught us to face every challenge with courage, dignity, and faith in God. Now we rejoice that he is fully healed and united with his Lord Jesus Christ.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 22, from 4-7 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 23, at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel with his son, Rev. William Bond Jr., and Pastor, Dr. Bill Owens officiating.
Burial will be at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will include his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be the Friendship Sunday School Class at Ridgedale Baptist Church.
Memorials can be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, P.O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37416; the Ridgedale Baptist Church Faith Building, 1831 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421; or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Parkway Plaza, Suite 135, Staten Island, NY 10305-4125.
The family wants to express their heartfelt love to those who helped him, Jenny, Lora; Jennifer, his care-giver; Denise, Pat, Rachel, and everyone at NHC Parkwood, and Hospice of Chattanooga.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogaeastbrainerdchapel.com.
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