was licensed to practice law by the Arkansas Supreme Court in 1953, and thereafter was admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court as well as the other Federal and State Courts of Arkansas. He opened and operated a private law practice in Monticello for over a half century. He was elected Judge of the Monticello Municipal Court in 1960 and presided over that Court for 26 years until his retirement in 1986. He also was elected to the Monticello City Council in 1997 and served as an Alderman of the City for 13 years ending in 2010.
Judge Bond was also active in the Monticello Rotary Club which he joined in 1959. He had perfect attendance to the weekly meetings for over 50 years and was a past President of the Club. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. His wife Marjorie Mae Bond was inducted as the first female member of the Monticello Rotary Club. The annual college scholarships given by Monticello Rotary to high school graduates of Monticello High School and Drew Central Schools, and to a student at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, are given as the Marjorie Mae and Clifton Bond Monticello Rotary Scholarship.
Judge Bond also loved his Lord and Church. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Monticello for more than 57 years and there served as a Deacon for more than 35 years and taught Sunday School for many, many years.
Judge Bond was born Elza Clifton Bond, Jr., on September 23, 1927, as the only son of Elza Clifton Bond, Sr., and Ethel Aura (Snow) Bond. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 62 years, Marjorie Mae (Ingram) Bond on April 10, 2011. He is survived by a host of cousins including Frank Anderson Gibson, Jr., Rev. Thomas Eugene "Blue" Gibson, William "Billy" Gibson, Martha Ann Gibson Spoonamore, Charlotte Marcum, Vickie Snow Gottsjoner, Robert Walter Snow, Jr., Luellen Holmes, and many others.
Condolences(12)
David Wm.Smith
Monticello, AR Monday, February 24, 2014 Judge Bond was one of the most honorable,honest,and God fearing men I have ever known. Heaven;s gain is Monticello's loss! I know I will never know another gentleman of Judge Bind's character!! May he rest in peace!Hershel Gober
Palm Coast, FL Sunday, February 23, 2014 Having been born and raised in Drew County Judge Bond was an example for me and later a very dear friend when I went to work in Washington, DC. I enjoy many breakfasts with him and always listen to him when he spoke because there was wisdom in his words. He was a great American and unfortunately they are becoming rare.John & Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Thursday, February 20, 2014 Growing up in First Baptist Church with Judge Bond & Ms. Marjorie Mae as a constant presence in our church family is a sweet memory I'll always have. He was a very interesting gentleman & I'm honored to have known him. He will be missed by many. Once again this sweet couple is complete in Heaven. Our thoughts & prayers go to the family & friends during these difficult days.Love, John, Paige, Jayson, Colt, Brayden, Brad, Jake, & Jared
Bob and Dianna Snow
Cabot, AR Thursday, February 20, 2014 So sorry to hear of Clifton's passing. We are happy to know that he is with our Father in heaven.Kimberly Octavo
Monticello, AR Wednesday, February 19, 2014 I sat with the Judge and I'll have to say he was very proper man and yes he was filled with a lot of knowledge. I liked it when he would use them big words as I would call it with me or when I was listening to him talk to someone. He never called me by my name He had a nick name for me it was "Pam" I do not know how he come up with Pam but that was who I was to him. I'll miss him very much. I've heard a lot of stories about him how he would help people not just by legal things, I'll have to add Otis will miss you from the Senior Citizens and so will all your other friends from there, I took him there to go visit during the week. He was a caring/kind man. R.I.P. JudgeMarie Rodela
McGehee, AR Wednesday, February 19, 2014 Rest in Peace Sir.You served your country well.
Janice McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Wednesday, February 19, 2014 Judge Bond and Marjorie were such mentors to me throughout the years and I loved them dearly. What a great man Judge Bond and I know he will be greatly missedin Monticello and especially by all our music friends. May God surround you with his loving arms, give you comfort and peace at this time. We all cherish such memories of being with Cliff and Marjorie. With love and sympathy, Janice Gladden McAllister
Kay Worbington
Monticello, AR Tuesday, February 18, 2014 Judge Bond has now gone to be with the Lord. Having lived in Drew County my entire life, I have always known him and thought he was an interesting man. He held a vast amount of knowledge. He and I sometimes visited of genealogy and history, sharing a common ancestor generations back. For years, he maintained the 100s of years old Bond Cemetery in Green Hill where he will be buried beside his wife.Sharon Hoopers Barnes
Naples, FL Tuesday, February 18, 2014 I would like to express my condolence to the family of Judge Clifton Bond. I went to him for legal counsel years ago and he gave me really good advice and words of wisdom. He was a wonderful person and someone I greatly admired. May God comfort all of Judge Bond's family and friends during your time of sorrow.James & Mary Lasiter
Wilmar, AR Tuesday, February 18, 2014 I was very sorry to hear of Clifton's passing. I can remember from a childhood he and my Father would clean the Bond Cemetery each yeat. RIPBobby&Margaret Gilliam
Shreveport, LA Tuesday, February 18, 2014 We knew Judge Bond living just across Godfrey Ditchfrom his properties. they saw many Game when I played
for Razorbacks and were appreciated.
We will pray for him and his wife who went before him.
BOBBY ELLIS AND MARGARET ANN GILLIAM
Andy Briant
Monticello, AR Tuesday, February 18, 2014 R.I.P. Judge Bond.