BOSSIER CITY – Raymond L. Bond passed peacefully in his sleep at the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home on March 4, 2017, just shy of his 95th birthday on April 25. A Celebration of his life will be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home (601 Hwy. 80 Haughton, LA). Officiating will be Brother Billy Pierce and Brother Harrell Shelton. Visitation will be Thursday, March 9th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. with services to be held on Friday, March 10th beginning at 2:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park.
Raymond was proud of serving his community as a banker for over 45 years at Bossier Bank and Trust Co. and later at First National Bank of Bossier. He believed in personal banking and helped many people. He served his community as President of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, a member of the Bossier City Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board, a member of the Exchange Club, the Port Authority Board and in the non-profit sector including the United Way and the Salvation Army Board. He was a man of Faith. He was a longtime member of Airline Baptist Church where he served in various capacities as he had at First Baptist and Waller Baptist Church of Bossier City. A part of the growth of Bossier Parish as a banker for over 50 years, Raymond was a forward thinking community developer, committed to the people and places of home.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Walter Henry and Anna Lou Cox Bond; brothers, Alfred, killed in WWII, Richard, known as Bubby, James (Edna), Harold (Onita), Donald (Claudine), and Tommy. Raymond was proud of being one of the 7 “Bond Boys”. All have been honored by the Bossier High School Alumni Association for their athletic and community service accomplishments.
Also preceding him was the love of his life, Lena Roberta McNeely Bond, known as “Mac”. They enjoyed one another, leading an active life of travel, gardening, civic responsibility, golf, tennis, bridge, chess, fishing, boating and socializing at “The Grasshopper”, their Lake Bistineau camp.
Raymond and Mac dearly loved their beloved only child, Gay Lynn. They thoroughly enjoyed her husband, Dan Tavlin, children, Dan Jr. and Don (wife Melissa and great-grandchildren Kelsey, Madeline, and Julia). The great-grands loved to walk on the lake bed with Paw Paw Raymond when Lake Bistineau was drained. Other survivors are Dan Tavlin Jr. (Jackie), Edward and Mary Glover, and Rose Turner, and nieces and nephews.
Honoring Raymond as pallbearers will be Edward Glover, John LeGrand, Stephen Manuel, Ben Sinor, Pat Pool and Stephen Opperman. Honorary pallbearers are Airline Baptist Church Sunday School Arno Easterly Class 5 and John Price.
Raymond joined the Navy when World War II broke out, and volunteered for flight training. Upon completion, he graduated as a Naval Aviator. Raymond was assigned to the Aircraft Carrier USS Kasaan Bay in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, and became a torpedo bomber pilot. The USS Kasaan Bay crossed the Pacific and was at the island of Okinawa awaiting the invasion of Japan when the Atomic Bomb ended the war. Raymond so valued his military service that he chose to enter the Northwest Louisiana Veterans home at 92. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the VA Home, and especially the staff of Wing 3. Also, a special shout out to Robin Watkins, RN and the CAN’s (you know who you are). The residents of the VA home are a group bonded by duty, honor, and country. Thanks for watching out for Dad and your many kindnesses.
He was a man who placed great value on independence, determination, and physical activity. Raymond Bond was a caring man and a gentleman. He was an excellent role model for his daughter and others. He received much enjoyment from watching birds fly, flowers bloom, cutting grass and being out in nature. When the figs, muscadine grapes and pomegranates were ripe, one would see him walk the neighborhood twice a day making deliveries to everyone who wanted fruit. The encounter included a wave, a smile, and you sensed he was a good, caring man who walked in God’s light.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans War Home (3130 A.R. Teague Parkway, B.C. LA 71112) or Airline Baptist Church (4007 Airline Dr. B.C. LA 71111).
