James Weldon Bond

James Weldon Bond
January 23, 1951-September 17, 2022

James W. Bond, 71, of Searcy, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, September 17, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

James was born January 23, 1951 in Bessemer, Alabama. When his family moved, he remained there with his Big Mama Helton until he enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation. As a Security Forces officer, he served in Vietnam before being stationed at the Little Rock Air Force Base. While there he met Debbie Cook and they were married in 1975. They settled in Searcy, where James worked for the Searcy Police Department. He retired as Captain in 1999 after 24 years of service. After retirement, he continued to serve the City of Searcy with the Office of Code Enforcement until 2011.

James enjoyed several hobbies including woodworking, fishing and card collecting. He was always hardworking and determined to learn everything he could so he could always do his best. You could especially see that in his coaching and training thousands of kids. His students brought him years of joy.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Debbie, daughters Christina (Bryan) Basolo and Jamie (Jimmie) Hill, son James Christopher Bond, six grandchildren William Allen, James Hill, Joshua Hill, Isabella Basolo, Elliana Basolo, Jonathan Hill, his brother Harold Bond, mother-in-law Mary Cook, several nieces and nephews and other extended family. He will also be greatly missed by many close friends including the Lunch Bunch and his students and their families.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, James William Bond and Helen Marie Bond, his sister Deb Bond, and brother Wayne Bond.

The family would like to thank all the care givers that have assisted us during this time especially Dr. Ryan Koch, Dr. Cheryl Payne, and Dr. Abdelrahman Attili. We would also like to thank everyone for their prayers and the outpouring of love from not only friends but our police and baseball families.

Visitation will be held at Searcy McEuen Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Services will be held at St. James Catholic Church on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 10:00 am with the rosary proceeding the service at 9:30 am. Military Interment Ceremony will follow in the St. Paul Catholic Cemetery with escort to be provided by the Searcy Police Honor Guard. Following interment, the family invites all to join them at the St. James Parish Hall.