William (Bill) R. Bond

William (Bill) R. Bond, 83, of Bourbonnais, passed away October 10, 2017, at his home. His wife, Carolyn Y. Watson Bond, and daughters, Paula Bond Litherland and Gina Bond, were at his bedside. Bill was born May 21, 1934, in Mount Vernon, Illinois, son of Ralph and Beulah Sloan Bond. William married Carolyn on May 27, 1955, in Harrisburg, Illinois. After graduating from high school (1952) in Galatia, Illinois, Bill was hired by the U.S. Rubber Company in Elwood, Illinois; a mandatory two-year term in the U.S. Army ended his employment there in 1957. He served thirteen months of his Army time in Germany and was on the rifle team there. Following his discharge (1959), Bill was employed by the Armour Pharmaceutical Company in Bradley, Illinois. Also, he enrolled in college classes at Kankakee Community College. In 1999, after 40 years of service, William retired from CSL Behring LLC in Bradley, Illinois. Bill enjoyed: boating (was a lifetime member of the Kankakee Valley Boat Club); watching sports games (especially MLB St. Louis Cardinals, as an avid life-long fan); traveling; gardening (especially his flowers); cooking; occasional trips to local casinos in his later years; and most of all, he enjoyed being with his family. The family really liked spending time with Bill. He was so loved and will be sorely missed. In addition to his wife and two daughters, Bill is survived by: Paula’s long-time life partner, Jim Alvey; two granddaughters Candace Litherland and Kristen Litherland Pia (John); five great-grandchildren Trenton, Brooklyn, Kali, Libby, and Maui; step great-granddaughter Brynna; brother Gary Bond (Arlene); two sisters June Cockrum and Margaret Burgess (Cliff); step brother-in-law Max Moser (Shirley); sister-in-law Dawna Bond; uncle Grover G. Sloan; nephew Larry Bond (Angie); many nephews and nieces; and several great nieces and nephews. Preceding William in death were: his parents; two brothers Robert (Bob) Bond and Gene Bond (Margie); sister Brenda Cole and her son; step sister-in-law Shirley Moser Jones; two brothers-in-law Dale Watson and Kenny Cockrum; mother-in-law Grace Moser; and step father-in-law Lymon (Spud) Moser. Cremation rites were accorded. Visitation on October 29, 2017, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm with a memorial service to follow at 4:30 pm at Jensen Memorial Chapel, 1200 N. Convent, Bourbonnais, Illinois. Internment on October 30, 2017, at 2:00 pm at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Hospice of Kankakee Valley, or charity of donor’s choice. Please sign Bill’s guest book at: www.jensenmemorialchapel.com.