George William Bond

Bill Bond was born in Rapid City, SD, on June 11, 1925, to George W. Bond and Beulah M. Bond (Kinser). Bill was the oldest of five siblings and is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marilyn (Feakes) and his brothers Robert and David.

He is survived by his sister Beulah Dokos; his children Kevin (June), Robert Brian (Patrick) and Margaret Kinoshita (Mark); grandchildren Ashley Bond (Ian Jennings), Laurel Bounds (Matthew), Bethany Bond, Palmer Kinoshita, Caldwell Kinoshita and Meghan Kinoshita; great grandchildren Liam Rapprich, James Rapprich, Sophie Bounds, Oliver Bounds and Samuel Bounds.

Bill was a member of the “Greatest Generation,” serving in combat during World War II with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy, where he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). Following his discharge in 1946, he joined his parents and siblings in Oakland California. There he met the love of his life, Louise Welch, and they married on August 10, 1949.

Upon Bill’s graduation from the University of California at Berkeley in June 1951 and the birth of Kevin in November, Bill and Louise moved to Sacramento where Bill commenced work with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). While in Sacramento, Bill, an Eagle Scout himself, was the adult leader for an Explorer Troop. Seven years later, Bill left USGS and worked with various firms that took the family to Salt Lake City, UT, Santa Barbara, CA, and Bakersfield, CA.

Bill retired from Chevron Oil at age 70 as he and Louise built their dream cabin near Yosemite, solidifying the family’s love of nature and the outdoors, and giving them the opportunity to spend time in the mountains surrounded by friends and family. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, and daily walks. In 1947, during an excursion into the high Sierras, Bill’s party found the crash site of a World War II era AT-7 aircraft. Bill returned later guiding an Army team to its location for recovery efforts.[AB1.1]

Bill and Louise also enjoyed spending their free time traveling and enjoyed trips spanning the world, including Egypt, Africa, Europe, South America, and China.

After a 71-year partnership, Bill lost the center of his life when Louise passed away on September 5, 2020. Bill continued to enjoy an active life with his children and other family members and joyously celebrated his 101st birthday surrounded by family on June 11, 2026. The celebration was even more special due to support from the Homestead Assisted Living facility and Ascend Hospice. Bill passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, leaving behind a family that will miss hearing his stories, and learning from his encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world, but is eternally grateful for the long and healthy life he shared with them.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on August 15, 2026, in Marysville, California. If you wish, donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Yosemite Conservancy or the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.