Charles William Bonds

Funeral services for Charles William Bonds will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Dunn officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Baptist Cemetery in Gardner, LA. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home from 5 pm until 9 pm. 

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Stacy Bonds, Landon Bonds, Zachary Ingram, Bailey Roshto, Chris Derbonne and Frank Bonds. Honorary pallbearers will be Deven Coutee, Delaney Creel, Chloe Coutee, Christian Lawson, Tim Collins, Tori Bonds, Marcus Collins, Brenda Dupuy, Danny Jacobs and David Littleton.

Charles was born on January 4, 1948 in Natchitoches to Howard and Sadie Harvey Bonds. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister Elsie LaCaze; uncle Rufus Harvey; uncle John Harvey, grandson Dustin Edwards, daughter-in-law, Christina Bonds; nephew, George LaCaze; niece, Sheila Bonds; sister-in-law, Yvonne Bonds; and brothers-in-law, Roy Bass, James Derbonne, and Feliex LaCaze.

He is survived by his children, J. D. Bonds and wife Stephanie (Flora), Stacy Bonds (Marksville), Crystal Bonds and Jamie Tennison (Wichita Falls, TX), Amanda Coutee and husband Ronald Coutee (Montrose); brothers, Howard Junior Bonds, Ashley Bonds wife Bobby Bonds; sisters, Betty Bass and Ann Derbonne; grandchildren, Marcus Collins, Timothy Collins, Tori Bonds, Bailey Roshto, Landon Bonds, Zachary Ingram, Christian Lawson, Delaney Creel, Deven Coutee, and Chloe Coutee; 10 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; and his grand-dogs, Gino and Albert.

Charles proudly served his country in the U. S. Army 4th Infantry earning several commendations: Expert M-14 Rifle, National Defense Service medals,1st Class Gunner M-60 Machine Gun, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman 11-Bravo Vietnam, Bronze Star Recipient, Silver Star recipient, and received the Presidential Medal of Honor presented by Gov. Bobby Jindal. He served two tours in Vietnam 1967 to 1970 and was Platoon Sergeant.

Outside of the Army, Charles spent 35 years in the oil field working for Gulf Oil for 2 and a half years in Africa, then retired with Chevron Platform 151 in the Gulf of Mexico as Master Lead Mechanic. He owned several companies, C & B Cattle, C & B Trucking, C & B Debris Cleanup. He was a skilled electrician, carpenter, and overall jack of all trades. He enjoyed working cattle with his good friend Melvin Tison who he will now be reunited in heaven with to continue their cattle drive. He was most proud of serving his country and teaching his children life skills and being a Vietnam Veteran. He adored all of his grandchildren and supported each one in their daily needs. He was strong, reliable, loyal, trustworthy, compassionate, respectful, and courageous. He raised his kids to be the same and instilled integrity in each one. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and would give anything to anyone in need. And if he thought you were wrong, he would be sure to let you know! He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with all extended family and friends!