Cecil Walton Bond Jr., an Army veteran, banking and broadcasting executive, and retired SEPTA assistant general manager, passed away on October 9 at the age of 87.
Born on December 30, 1937, in Chester, Pennsylvania, Cecil was the eldest of six sons born to the late Cecil Walton Bond Sr. and Frinjela Bond. He graduated from Chester High School in 1955 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 from Morgan State University in Baltimore, where he attended on a basketball scholarship and served as captain of the men’s basketball team.
Following graduation, Bond was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police. During his nine-and-a-half-year military career, he earned a regular Army commission and was awarded two Army Commendation Medals. At the time of his honorable discharge in January 1970, he held the rank of captain and had been selected for promotion to major.
After his military service, Bond embarked on a distinguished banking career at Central Penn National Bank in Philadelphia. He pursued advanced management studies at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, completing the Executive Graduate Management Program, and also attended the Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University.
Cecil Bond broke racial barriers as Central Penn National Bank’s first African American assistant commercial lending officer and later became an assistant vice president and then vice president. In these roles, he managed a $40 million loan portfolio and a $200,000 loan authority. Among his significant achievements, he negotiated major financing agreements for the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia.
In recognition of his contributions to advancing opportunities for minority-owned businesses, Bond was honored with the 1989 Minority Business Advocate Award from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Later in his career, Bond served as vice president and business manager at Broadcast Enterprises National Inc., which at the time was the largest minority-owned broadcasting conglomerate in the United States.
He then dedicated 25 years to SEPTA, serving as assistant general manager. In this role, he oversaw critical areas including civil rights compliance, safety, operations, and strategic development.
“Cecil’s life was defined by his dedication to service, leadership, and family,” his family remarked in a tribute. “His legacy of perseverance, professionalism, and integrity will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him.”
In his personal life, Bond married Andrea Coverdale Moffitt in June 1963, with whom he had two children: Tracy Bond of Columbus, New Jersey, and Cecil Bond III of Middletown, Delaware. In October 1986, he married Linette Hinson Bond, his wife of 39 years. Together, they had two children, Devon C. Bond of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Denzel R. Bond of Arlington, Virginia.
Bond and Linette were active members of St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Williamstown, New Jersey, and Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia. They made their home in Marlton, New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Rodney, Carl, Clyde, and Myron; nephew Rodney Bond; and grandson Cecil W. Bond IV.
Cecil Bond is survived by his wife Linette; his children Tracy, Cecil (Chariesse), Devon, and Denzel (Kaelyn); granddaughters Taylor Bond, Vanessa Ramirez, and Victoria Ramirez; brother Ronald (Sonja); sisters-in-law Maryanne F. Bond and Paula J. Hinson; several nieces and nephews; his special son Bernard Brown; as well as many colleagues and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 23, at St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Williamstown, New Jersey. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m., with services following at 10 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Beckett-Brown & Hodges Funeral Home.
Cecil Walton Bond Jr.’s legacy of leadership, service, and community commitment will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
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