Couple strikes perfect match in wedding at Akron bowling alley

AKRON, Ohio - There were no shoes with numbers on the back, no colorful bowling shirts, but there was plenty of love in a wedding ceremony at Bill White's Akron Lanes Thursday night.

Gene and Sharon Bond said their 'I do's' in front of a few friends and about 300 bowlers.

"It's kind of a whirlwind thing and we're not believing it ourselves yet," said the 76-year-old Bond.

His 61-year-old bride Sharon gushed, "He's wonderful, he's just wonderful. He's kind, he's generous, he's sweet. Caring, just wonderful."

The bowling facility seemed like the perfect choice when they decided just last Tuesday to tie the knot. Gene bowls there and the pastor performing the ceremony is a part owner of the lanes.

Bill White Jr. began holding services in the lounge of the lanes this past January. He came back to Akron from Indiana to help his father Bill White Sr. run the facility on East Waterloo Road.

Bill Sr., also a part owner, walked the bride down the approaches of the lanes giving her away in front of lanes 26 and 27.

The Whites kept the proceedings moving along as bowlers in town for the Soap Box Derby were lined up to use them.

Gene and Sharon have known each other for 6 years. Gene's wife Maggie died in April of 2009. She and Sharon were best friends living in the same apartment complex in Barberton.

"This lady is so spiritual that she is receiving endorsements from Maggie, Maggie is as happy as we are right now", added the groom.

Each have 4 children and combined have 20 grandchildren as well as 3 great grandchildren.

Akron radio listeners may know Gene Bond from his 25 years as a disc jockey on WSLR.

The couple will spend the next month or so visiting friends and family as their honeymoon.