Billy Bonds

RIP, Billy Bonds

Ode to the best bad-ass newsman Detroit ever knew: “It’s Hard Being Bill Bonds”

Mega-anchor describes the highs and lows of a high-octane life

By Patty LaNoue Stearns

Say what you will about Bill Bonds: You either love him or you hate him, plain and simple.

Channel 7’s mega-anchor can be the baddest of bad boys, a rebellious child, a crazy cowboy who’s hard to handle and harder to hold.

He can also be kind, open, warm and sweet: a generous friend, mentor, doting dad, protective brother, caring friend and lover.

Sometimes he doesn’t show up at the station, and his coworkers just shrug: “That’s Billy.” They don’t apologize for this million-dollar baby anymore. But they’ll also tell you he’s an inspiration and works his butt off, too. They love their Billy. He loves them back.

Bill Bonds passed away after a heart attack on December 13, 2014. This story first appeared on page 1F of the Detroit Free Press Entertainment Section, December 6, 1992. Please click the link below to view the entire article in PDF format.

Click to download: Billy.pdf_0002.pdf