R. J. "Piggy" Bonds

R.J. “Piggy” Bonds, 80, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at his home in Booneville. He was born February 25, 1931, to Roy Festus Bonds and Nellie Andres Smith Bonds. He worked at the Skyline Radio Network, radio station WBIP in Booneville, and WTUP in Tupelo for over 40 years, broadcasting local programming and sporting events for Booneville, Prentiss County, and NEMCC. He was an air-traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Booneville since June 22, 1947, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, on various committees and was a big supporter of church missions. He was a member of Booneville Civitan Club, charter president of the Prentiss County United Way and has served on various other units of the United Way, such as the Red Cross. He was the chairman of the Republican Party for 41 years. He helped to establish the Prentiss County Good Fellow Program, and was a lifetime member of the Mississippi Broadcasters Association.

He received the United Way Community Leadership Award, United Way Community Service Award, an award for Contribution and Service of the Community Bank Board and Honorary Mayor. He was a charter board member of the Booneville/Baldwyn Airport, and a member of the 1949 undefeated Booneville Blue Devil football team.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Booneville with Dr. Lynn Jones and Dr. Bill Duncan officiating. Burial will be in Booneville Cemetery. Services are under the direction of McMillan Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shelby Bishop Bonds; three daughters, Carla Bonds (Rick) Hill of Saltillo, Andrea Bonds (Greg) Owens of Booneville and Holly Bonds (Chris) Burks of Tupelo; one sister, Sara Bonds Pounds; and seven grandchildren, Austin, Andrew and Grantham Hill, Ashleigh and Wesley Owens, and Avery and Shelby Burks.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one niece, Annise Pounds Charlwood.

Honorary pallbearers are Isaac Sunday school class, 1949 undefeated Blue Devil football team, Booneville Civitan Club and the Bancorp South Booneville Board of Directors.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 401 W. Church Street, Booneville, MS 38829.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and until Noon Thursday at the funeral home. The body will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service at the church.

Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com

Arrangements under the direction of McMillan Funeral Home, Booneville, MS.