Joe M. Bonds was born on October 4, 1927 to Carl and Jennie Lou Bonds in Anniston, Alabama. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist faith and was a Mason. Joe served our country in World War II as a Merchant Marine, then afterwards enlisted in the Army, where he served in Japan. After returning from duty, he studied literature at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. Joe worked as a foreman for Shell Oil refinery in California and as an inspector for Rheem in Ft. Smith until he retired in 1992. He loved literature and wrote many songs, poems, and a book about his life titled “The Mountain and Other Places.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Doris Neal Bonds; one son, Paul Bonds; grandson, Forrest Garner; brothers, Marion, Carl and Andy Bonds and one sister, Catherine Kilgore.
He is survived by his sister, Louise Upshaw of Anniston, AL; his son, Jody Bonds and wife, Stacy of Greenwood; his daughter, Jennifer Garner and husband, Greg of Key Colony Beach, FL; his daughter-in-law, Karen Bonds Hines and husband, Tim of Van Buren; his grandchildren, Andrew Bonds and wife, Christina of Fayetteville, Kelton Bonds of Greenwood, Justin Bonds of Fayetteville, Glenn Garner of Springdale, Allison Bonds of Fayetteville and Summer Garner of Fayetteville and his great-grandchildren Aaron, Cadence and Chloe Bonds all of Fayetteville.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 24 at Huntington Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all the caregivers who not only gave their time, but also their love and friendship to Papa Joe.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
