William "Bill" Byrd Pond

He was born August 3, 1926, in Harrisonburg and was the son of Evelyn Byrd Cameron Purcell and William H. Pond. Throughout his life, Bill honored the care and influence of his beloved Stepfather, the late William E. Lee Purcell, who came into his life when Bill was eight years old. Bill was also the great grandson of Governor William E. Cameron, who served as Governor of Virginia from 1882 –1886. Bill grew up in Richmond, graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1943, and shortly after joined the US Navy at age 17, with the permission of his mother. He served for three years, seeing service in the Pacific Theater. Bill received training at the Naval Mine Warfare School in Yorktown, Virginia, and was assigned to the Minesweeper USS Sprig (AM384). After his service in World War II, Bill attended the University of Richmond where he was on the varsity tennis team and was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. After receiving a BA Degree from the University of Richmond, Bill volunteered for service in the Korean War, serving on the staff of Admiral Arthur Radford at Pearl Harbor and later assigned to the destroyer USS Keppler (DDE 765).

Bill began a career in banking and was an early recipient of the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst award. After working in New Jersey for several years, he came to work in Harrisonburg in 1971 as Vice President and later Senior Vice President at Rockingham National Bank and was in charge of all bank and trust department investments. In the mid-80’s he established a private practice as an investment counselor until his retirement in 2001.

On December 31, 1955, Bill married his beloved Barbara Bohman of Rochester, New York who preceded him in death in January 13, 2023.

Bill is survived by his sons, William Byrd Pond, Jr., of Blacksburg, Va. and Edward Cameron Pond of Harrisonburg, Va.; grandson, Andrew Pond, currently serving in the US Air Force, his wife, Crystal, and great granddaughter, Isadora; his sister-in-law, Nancy Rance; niece, Kathleen M. Rhodes and nephew, Stewart McCormick, all of Boca Raton, Florida.

Bill and Barbara enjoyed traveling in Europe and the Caribbean. Bill also enjoyed tennis, reading and life at the farm in Edom, Va. where the couple spent three years restoring an old stone home that had been built in 1819. Once the restoration was completed, the home was certified as a Historical Landmark by the Virginia Historical Society.

Bill’s many community activities include membership and leadership roles in many organizations: Membership for 40 years, on the board and President of Harrisonburg Kiwanis Club, Board Member of Harrisonburg Salvation Army, Board Member and Treasurer of WVPT, Board Member and Treasurer of the original RMH Foundation, Member of Financial Analyst Federation, Board Member of Harrisonburg/Rockingham SPCA, Member of Harrisonburg Baptist Church serving on various committees, Member and on the Board of Directors of Spotswood Country Club.

Visitation will be held at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 between 7:00 and 8:00 PM.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Crestwood in Strite Auditorium, at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community with Rev. Eli Withers and Rev. Steve Landis officiating. Following the service friends may greet the family and enjoy a time of fellowship and light refreshments.

Private burial will be in Westhampton Memorial Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.

For any questions concerning the service, contact Lindsey Funeral Home at 540 434 7318.

Memorial contributions may be sent to, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, 501 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.