Billy Bonds Jr.

Billy James Bonds Jr, 74 of Jackson, Mississippi, formerly of Biscoe, passed away on Tuesday, September 26 at his home.

Billy was born July 24, 1949 in Biscoe, Arkansas to Billy Bonds Sr. and Irene Berry-Bonds.

Billy attended Biscoe Public School. He was a 1966 graduate of Biscoe High School, where he was involved in school extra-curricular activities and playing basketball. He then went on to attend Shorter College in Little Rock.

While growing up in Biscoe, Billy attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Williams.

Billy began singing as a young teenager. Music and singing were his life. He started competing in local community talent shows around the age of 14. He would mimic the songs and dance moves of his favorite group the "Temptations." He was a huge fan of the late David Ruffin and always wanted to sing exactly like him.

On January 25, 1970, Billy married Vivian Wash and to this union 5 children were born.

Billy recorded his first hit song in 1985 and continued to record several hit songs over his long career and picking up the stage name "Billy Soul Bonds." He's been entertaining the masses for more than 50 years and has traveled the country touring with numerous other famous household names in music.

Over his long career, Billy has received numerous accolades for his accomplishments in entertainment and music. One of his proudest moments was when he started a yearly blues festival in his beloved hometown of Biscoe in the late 1990's. For that accomplishment he received the Key to the City from then mayor Teddy Dooley.

Billy's huge personality and loving and gentle nature reached many people throughout the country. He was a sports fan (Basketball and Football). He had a great sense of humor and loved telling funny stories and jokes. His family meant so much to him. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews, nieces and Friends. He will be greatly missed by so many whose lives he touched with his own and his God given talent.

His son DeCarlos Bonds Sr., His parents Billy Bonds Sr. and Irene Bonds; two brothers: Harold Bonds and Michael "Fat Mike" Bonds; two sisters in law Vennie Graves and Betty Allen all preceded Billy in death.

Survivors are: his son Brandon Bonds of Little Rock, AR; four daughters: Charlotte Bonds and Erica Bonds both of Little Rock, AR; Shunette (Tony) Appleby of Chula Vista, CA and Sharla Bonds of Biscoe, AR; his grandchildren: Antonio Appleby of Conyers, GA; Corey Rousson and Xavier Bonds both of Wynne, AR; Alexis Bonds and DeCarlos Bonds Jr. both of Little Rock, AR; Miles Appleby of Chula Vista, CA and Junior Minor of Fayetteville, AR; his loving companion Bobbie Bradley of Jackson, MS; bonus daughter: Temeka (Darrell) Stevens of Nashville, TN; bonus granddaughters: Maya Wood and Monet Wood both of Nashville, TN: three brothers: Bobby (Allean) Bonds Sr. and Carl Bonds both of Biscoe, AR; and Donald (Barbara) Bonds Sr. of Lonoke, AR; three sisters: Ira Jean Bonds of Chicago, Ill; Debra Bonds of DeValls Bluff, AR and Joyce Bonds of Biscoe, AR; six sisters in law Josie Bonds, Shirley Gordon, Paulette Lawson, Sharon Wash and Debbie Jackson of Little Rock, AR; and Jackie Wash of Atlanta, GA; three brothers in law Grover Lawson, Vernon Jackson and Michael Wash all of Little Rock, AR; an uncle Ronnie Moore of Marianna, AR; an aunt Lela "Pete" Hendricks of Chicago, Ill; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening, October 6 from 5 until 8 PM at the Brinkley Convention Center, 1501 Weatherby Drive in Brinkley. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7 at 3 PM at the Brinkley Convention Center with Elder James Micheal Barnett officiating. Interment will take place at Harrison Cemetery in Biscoe by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036  williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com  and Web Address: www.willliamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.willliamsfuneraldirectors.net>

Pallbearers are: Christopher Paige Sr., Junior Minor, Xavier Bonds Sr., DeCarlos Bonds Jr., Reginald Adell and Miles Appleby.

Honorary Pallbearers: Brandon Bonds, Bobby Bonds Sr., Carl Bonds, Donald Bonds Sr., Tony Appleby, Herman Jackson, C.C. Miles, Reverend Ivory Lee Mitchell, Stanley Young, Essie Hardwick, Bobby Anderson, Frank Scaife, Elmer Marshall, DeWayne Lucas and Kenny Stokes.

Per family's request for privacy no photos, videos or livestreaming will be allowed at the visitation or funeral services. Anyone caught disobeying this request will be immediately escorted from the facility by law enforcement and banned from re-entering the the services. Thank you for your cooperation.