Joseph was very fond of his grandchildren. He always carried with him two pocket knives, a good one and one a trading knife not so good. Whenever the older grandsons came around he loved to hit them up for a trade “sight unseen”, especially the Millett boys, George Wm. and Dwight. It was very seldom failed they didn’t have to settle for the old knife. How he would laugh. But the next time he saw them the trade would be their win. He would sit in his rocking chair on the front porch of his home and, with the twins, Dorris and Dortha, test their knowledge in arithmetic with problems of addition or subtraction to see which one could get the answer first. His grandson, Kenny Bond, always came two weeks before his brother, Karl’s, birthday to remind his grandfather, then every day until the birthday, when both he and Karl would come. If grandfather gave Karl fifty cents then he was sure of the amount he would receive when he came to visit grandfather on his own birthday, which followed only three weeks later.

Joseph was a member of the “Old Timers Get Together Club” which met once a month in the Mesa First Ward Chapel. Each member was given the opportunity of rendering a program. On May 8, 1939, the program was presented by Joseph’s family. They presented a skit, “Down by the Old Mill Stream.” The stage was beautifully decorated with an old mill and waterwheel turning and lovers standing by. There was also a room scene with an old couple. It was a very fitting program. A grandson, Weymouth D. Pew, made the mill and waterwheel for the scenes.

Joseph lived to see four generations of his own immediate family. On his eighty-seventh birthday, a picture was taken of Joseph, his eldest son, Charles Marlow, and Charles Marlow’s second son, Thomas Lloyd, and Thomas Lloyd’s eldest son, Delwin Kay, all carrying the name of Bond.

On April 3, 1940, the “Old Folks Party” was held in the Mezona under the auspices of the Maricopa Stake Mutual Improvement Association of the Latter-day Saints Church. All local residents over sixty-five years old were entertained. There were addresses by Governor Robert Jones, Lorenzo Wright and Ronald Ellsworth of Maricopa Stake Presidency and by Rial Randall, Maricopa Stake Y.M.M.I.A. Superintendent. The invocation was given by M. C. Phelps.

Years bring honor to those who are older. Most important on the program was the selection of the King and Queen. Those chosen were Joseph William Bond, 87 years old and Mrs. Caroline Sheehan, 88.

They were crowned in a very effective ceremony under the direction of Mrs. Joseph Reed, Maricopa Stake Y.W.M.I.A. President. Poetry for the ceremony was written by Mrs. Bertha Kleinman.

Only a few days following Joseph’s 88th birthday he became ill. Perhaps he could have had a slight stroke as he fell on the floor in the bathroom. It seemed as though his feet and legs had gone their last step, so he took to his bed never again to walk. Hours, weeks, months, even into one year and a half Joseph lay bedfast. He was tenderly cared for by his daughter, Naoma, and her husband, Robert, and others of his family.

His mind was alert and each day the daily newspaper was carefully read to him. He was interested in the news of the Second Great World War. He was especially interested in his nine young grandsons who were scattered throughout the different nations of the world giving their all in the service of their country. Letters from these young boys were greatly appreciated by Joseph as they were read, and sometimes reread, to him telling him of the countries, the people, and their habits, extending their love for him and expressing their appreciation of the heritage he had given them. They said that one day they would be back to visit again with him.

Many, many friends called to visit Joseph at his bedside. He still loved his concertina and often asked for it playing the old dance tunes sitting propped with pillows and back rest on his bed. Every day his little grandson, Paul M. Bond, a first grader, would come with his sister, Joyce, to read to his grandfather the story of “Dick and Jane,” the part of the story he had learned to read that day in school. Sometimes it took all of thirty minutes, but Joseph appreciated every word read. His granddaughters, Pauline Slade (Voorhees) and then Louis Pew (Cluff) would come everyday after school to help his daughter, Naoma, to sit him in his rocking chair for one hour to rest him from the bed.

April 17, 1943 at 4:00 A.M., with his immediate family by his bedside, Joseph’s eyelids closed. He had answered the call from the Master. A life of four score years and ten had ended.

A beautiful funeral service was held April 20, 1943 in the Mesa Third Ward Chapel at the corners of First Ave. and South Morris St, under the direction of Bishop J. Wallace Bond.

Six grandsons were his pallbearers: Darrel E. Slade, Palmer E. Amundsen, Weymouth D. Pew, Milton B. Millett, George W. Millett, and Frank B. Slade.

Internment was at the Mesa City Cemetery with Joseph being laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Prudence.