22 Oct 2017 Couples: Bill and E. Jonnie Bounds
HIM Bill Bounds
Native of: Mississippi.
Where did you grow up: Lucedale, Miss.
Education: Lucedale High School (1960); bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting/1964) and master’s in business administration (management/1965) from the University of Southern Mississippi; PhD (management/1986) from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
Job: Retired (faculty member with the department of marketing and management in UCA’s College of Business 1975-2009; department chair 1990-2000).
Parents: W.T. Bounds Sr., Quitman, Miss.; Media Gilbert Bounds, Merigold, Miss.
Community activities: Active in the Conway Noon Lions Club’s vision screening program/club secretary and the Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots campaign/ paymaster.
Church activities: Sing in the Sanctuary Choir, serve as a deacon, help with AWANA records, maintain data base for Sunday school class.
How would you describe yourself: I’m a fairly “laid back” individual with a dry sense of humor. More introverted than extroverted.
Favorite restaurant in the 501: China Town Restaurant.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Worshiping at our church, watching UCA Bear football, sharing time with friends.
HER E. Jonnie Bounds
Native of: Arkansas.
Where did you grow up: Hickory Plains (Prairie County).
Education: Des Arc High School (1961), bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech (1965), master’s in physical education (1971) and master’s in recreation leadership (1975) from Ole Miss.
Job: Wife and homemaker.
Parents: Joseph C. Johnson (Kensett) and Alice S. Johnson (San Diego).
Community activities: Assist with the Conway Noon Lions Club’s vision screening program and help with the Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots campaign as well as serve as chaplain.
Church activities: Help with AWANA records, sing in the Sanctuary Choir, active in women’s ministries (Women to Women and mentoring).
Hobbies/special interests: Traveling, fitness, reading and taking care of two dogs.
How would you describe yourself: A friendly, outgoing, fun-loving, people person.
Favorite restaurant in the 501: China Town Restaurant.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Church, University of Central Arkansas games and eating out with friends.
Favorite quote: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).”
What do you love about living in the 501: Natural beauty and Toad Suck Daze.
THEM
City: Conway.
How we met: We were both serving in the military in the 1960s (Bill was in the Army and Jonnie was in the Marine Corps) and were stationed in Washington, D.C. While we lived and worked within a half-mile of each other, we met at Arlington Baptist Church in January 1967.
The proposal: On Oct. 7, 1967, in a pagoda in Bellingrath Garden’s Asian-American Garden.
Wedding bells: June 15, 1968, at First Baptist Church in Lucedale, Miss.
Children: A son, Joseph Theodore Bounds (1985-1999).
Pets: A 14-year-old Chihuahua named Tinkerbelle and a 12-year-old rescue terrier mix named Shadow.
Activities enjoyed together: Traveling, watching UCA sports, helping with church activities (charter members of Woodland Heights Baptist Church) and with Lions Club/Marine Corps League projects.
Military service: Bill completed the ROTC program at the University of Southern Mississippi while working on a bachelor’s degree. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Adjutant General Corps in May 1964. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in October 1966 and went off active duty in August 1967 to take a teaching job at the University of Southern Mississippi. Before leaving, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. He received an honorable discharge in May 1970.
Jonnie decided to go into the military following her student teaching experience during her senior year at Arkansas Tech University. She was going to go into the Navy, but went to hear a U.S. Marine recruiter and decided that was the branch for her. She went to Quantico, Va., in May 1965, for the Woman Marine Candidate Course. After training, she went through the Woman Officer Basic Course and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. She served as an administrative officer at Quantico until late 1966, when she was transferred to Henderson Hall Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. From that time until leaving the Marine Corps in October 1969, she served as an education officer. She was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in August 1966 and to Captain in August 1967.
