of Fox, AR

September 3, 1937 - July 20, 2023

William Andrew ''Bill'' Bonds, 85, of Fox died Thursday, July 20, 2023 at home surrounded by family. He was born on September 3, 1937 at Meadow Creek to the late Earl and Omalee Bonds. He was an avid outdoorsman and particularly loved hunting and fishing; but he also loved sports of all kinds. While he was known for his basketball skills in high school, he spent many years after high school playing softball in a league in Little Rock and continued playing even after he moved to Fox. Bill also loved playing golf, horseshoes and cards. He was very competitive in everything he did and always played to win. Once while playing cards with his wife, Dayle as his partner, she played the wrong card which she could see upset him; she told him that it didn't bother her to lose and he responded with, ''that's because you're used to losing, I'm not!'' In his later years as his health started deteriorating he found a new passion for fantasy golf and even gave his last line-up only one day prior to his death. Bill was saved early in his life and baptized later in life at Turkey Creek; he was also a member of Bethlehem General Baptist Church in Fox, Arkansas.


Bill worked from the time he was married until the day he retired, always providing for his family. He began working at the Interstate Highway Sign Company in Little Rock in the 1960's and worked there until he moved to Fox in 1978, where he then started driving a truck for Foremost Milk.

He farmed, drove a bus for Rural Special School while owning and operating Bonds Grocery in Fox for over seventeen years. Bill grew up in a family that loved music especially Bluegrass Gospel. He started learning to play the banjo in the early 70's; years later after moving to Fox, he played with a band known as the Fox Bluegrass Band. They played at numerous community centers, churches, community parks and the court square in Mountain View. He later decided he wanted to learn to play the fiddle because in his words, ''Darrell Barnett was much better playing the banjo than me''.

Bill is survived by his wife, of 64 years, Dayle Bonds of the home; two sons, Andy Bonds and Kelly Bonds both of Fox, Arkansas; one daughter, Pam Owens and husband, Rodney of Fox, Arkansas; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, along with many extended family and friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Omalee Bonds; three sisters, Mavis Farris, Donnie Wrinkle and Bonnie Wrinkle; four brothers, Corbet Bonds, Reece Bonds and two infant brothers.

Visitation is Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Graveside services will follow the visitation beginning at 2:30 PM at Fox Cemetery in Fox, Arkansas with Brothers Coy, Marvin and Stan Sutterfield officiating.

Pallbearers are Rodney Owens, Heath Owens, Chuck Bonds, Chad Bonds, Nathan Harper and Lance Bonds. Honorary pallbearers are Marty Berry, Ethan Farris and Aaron Farris.

Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas is in charge of the arrangements.

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