James Wheeler Bond

James Wheeler Bond was born August 21, 1921, to Ed and Bessie Bond on a farm near Farmington, Kansas, and passed away at home in Lawrence, Kansas on January 10, 2015.

Jim spent his first 19 years on various farms in northeastern Kansas working with his father, and later for the Corpstein brothers south of Nortonville while attending mechanics school at night. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 622nd Ammunition Ordinance in the Pacific Theater until the end of World War II. During this time, he made several beachheads in the Philippines including New Britain Island, Luzon, and New Guinea. In 1945, Jim was honorably discharged from the military as a staff sergeant. After his military service, Jim returned to Nortonville, Kansas working on the farm.

He met and married Bonnie L. Crawford on February 28, 1948. They shared 68 years together raising two sons, Larry C. and Bradley L. Bond.

In 1948, Jim worked for Crawford Electrical where he learned to be an electrician. Later, he applied these skills for the City of Eudora. Two years after, Jim worked as a guard for Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. In 1964, Jim began a career with USI as a truck driver and later as a diesel mechanic, retiring in 1987. He was a proficient mechanic who was frequently called upon by family and friends. While retired, he worked part-time for Pence Greenhouse at various jobs. He greatly enjoyed visiting and playing with his grandchildren and catfishing in Kansas and on the Snake River in Idaho. In addition, Jim was a fixture on his front porch swing, keeping an eye on the neighborhood. Throughout his life, Jim developed his skills as a handyman and upholsterer, which he utilized around the house and to the benefit of family and friends. It didn’t seem like there was anything Jim wasn’t capable of undertaking.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie, two sons, Larry C. (Dede) of Boise, Idaho, and Bradley L. Bond of Gering, Nebraska; two grandchildren, Eric J. of Boise, and Julianna K. Bond, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a great grandson, Jack J, Bond, Boise; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, from 7:00-8:00 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Graveside memorial services will be conducted on Friday, January 16 at 11 am at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, Visiting Nurses, or WildCare, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com