Wanda Jean Bond

Wanda Jean Bond, 80, of Stigler, passed away Friday, July 24, 2020 in Mercy Hospital in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was born August 6, 1939 in Stigler, Oklahoma to Betty Agnes Ritch Harrell & Earl Ritch. Wanda met a young man that stole her heart while they were attending Perry School. They met each other by Arley driving his brother’s hot rod, a 1950, 4 door coupe, and running through a mud hole and threw mud all over her new coat. His brother Lenard set them up on a date. But just look what Happened! Marriage! Arley & Wanda were married on October 25, 1956. Wanda & Arley have always been in some type of business. Wanda had a great love for their B & B Trading Post & Bait Shop on 2nd St. that was started in 1966 in Stigler. The fishermen would drive miles to buy her tackle & minnows because they said, “Her bait would live longer than anyone’s.” Wanda loved the Lord very much. She belonged to the Pentecostal Holiness Church which she helped build the new church in 1961. Years later it had the name changed to the River of Life Church. Wanda took great pride in her church and she could always find a job that needed to be done. While battling cancer the last 2 years she never gave up and still never met a stranger. Helping people was her passion Wanda loved her family and adored her grandchildren. Wanda is survived by love of her life, her husband of 63 Years, Arley Bond of the home; a daughter & son-in-law, Catherine & Randall Underwood of Stigler; a son & daughter-in-law, Billy & Patricia Bond of Muskogee; 2 grandchildren, Robby White of Stigler, Jennifer & Christopher Kimbrell of Broken Arrow; a half-sister, Towanna Kerklin; 2 half-brothers, Otis Ritch of Stigler, David Ritch of Las Vegas, NV; 2-1st cousins, Dale Hurt of Jacksonville, Florida & Kay Webb of Stigler;numerous nieces & nephews. Wanda is preceded in death by her parents, Earl Ritch & Agnes Harrell; maternal grandparents, Amos & Hattie Harrell; paternal grandparents, William Jasper & Dovie Ritch. Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the River of Life Church with Pastor Jack Sloan officiating. Eulogist: Reverend Blake Baily. Pallbearers include Randall Underwood, Robby White, John Deromanis, Kevin Wilkett, Marcus Lerklin, Linton Gorman. Burial will follow to Garland Cemetery under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.

Wanda Jean Bond

August 6, 1939 - July 24, 2020