Obituary; notes on funeral
From today's Democrat-Gazette:
William A. "Bill"Gwatney, 48, of Little Rock. Arkansas lost one of its greatest cheerleaders with the passing of a treasured favorite son whose respect for and appreciation of the everyday citizens of his home state was proven daily through his unending contributions to community and public service.
Bill distinguished himself in the Arkansas state Senate, first elected in 1992 and serving until 2003. He championed many causes most notably the Patient Protection Act, allowing patients the right to choose their doctor from willing providers. In addition, he was extremely instrumental in the legislation leading to ethics reform in Arkansas politics.
Bill Gwatney graduated from Jacksonville High School (1977) and then the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of administration degree in 1981. He was very active in his hometown of Jacksonville serving on numerous civic boards and public commissions. He was past president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and was a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Bill served on the board of directors of Pathfinder and supported the organization by leading in key fundraising efforts and his hiring practices. In 2000, Bill was appointed to the board of North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville. In 1991, he received the Distinguished Citizens Award from the United States Air Force Military Command. He was a board member for First Arkansas Bank and Trust.
Bill served as finance chairman for Gov. Mike Beebe's campaign for governor and subsequently became the governor's choice to lead the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Bill was elected to chairman of that organization soon after. He was chosen to be a superdelegate at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Bill's corporate background centered around his family's business, first as executive vice president of First National Bank of Jacksonville and then into the automobile industry. As a very successful automobile dealer, he served as chief executive officer of Gwatney's Little Rock Auto Group, owning three dealerships in Jacksonville, North Little Rock and Little Rock.
Bill was an avid golfer, and even with his busy schedule he somehow made time for golf - whether it was a trip to the driving range, the putting green or finding a few hours to play a round with his closest friends. It could even be said that golf was a piece of Bill. He loved the movies, either out at a theater or at home. Most nights Bill sought refuge from a complicated day in his TV room. He could often be found there with a blanket over his feet, in his chair or on his couch escaping through his movies, TV shows, or simply reading books. His appetite for the written word was known to be voracious. Bill was an ardent sports fan as well as supporter and financial contributor to both the Arkansas Razorbacks and the UALR Trojans.
Bill loved his wife deeply and looked forward to their future travels. He was a wonderful son who talked to his parents almost daily. Daddy loved his two daughters, and when they needed him he was always there for them. Bill was also an extremely loyal and loving brother and will be remembered by many for all that he gave to so many people throughout his life.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rebecca; daughters, Christian and Chase Gwatney; Rebecca's children, Emily and Zachary Rankin; his brother, Russell and his wife Lisa from Memphis; his parents Syble and Harold Gwatney; three nephews and one niece, John and David Gwatney, Joseph Albanese and Megan Gwatney, all from Memphis; an uncle, Jim Gwatney; along with many other extended family members. The honoring and celebration of Bill's life will be held Monday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Visitation is scheduled at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills in North Little Rock on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The burial will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice or to the Bill Gwatney Scholarship Fund at UALR, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or to a charity of choice in Bill's name. www.griffinleggettresthills.com.
Also, this is no surprise, but Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church should be in attendance, albeit 50 yards away.
William A. "Bill"Gwatney, 48, of Little Rock. Arkansas lost one of its greatest cheerleaders with the passing of a treasured favorite son whose respect for and appreciation of the everyday citizens of his home state was proven daily through his unending contributions to community and public service.
Bill distinguished himself in the Arkansas state Senate, first elected in 1992 and serving until 2003. He championed many causes most notably the Patient Protection Act, allowing patients the right to choose their doctor from willing providers. In addition, he was extremely instrumental in the legislation leading to ethics reform in Arkansas politics.
Bill Gwatney graduated from Jacksonville High School (1977) and then the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of administration degree in 1981. He was very active in his hometown of Jacksonville serving on numerous civic boards and public commissions. He was past president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and was a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Bill served on the board of directors of Pathfinder and supported the organization by leading in key fundraising efforts and his hiring practices. In 2000, Bill was appointed to the board of North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville. In 1991, he received the Distinguished Citizens Award from the United States Air Force Military Command. He was a board member for First Arkansas Bank and Trust.
Bill served as finance chairman for Gov. Mike Beebe's campaign for governor and subsequently became the governor's choice to lead the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Bill was elected to chairman of that organization soon after. He was chosen to be a superdelegate at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Bill's corporate background centered around his family's business, first as executive vice president of First National Bank of Jacksonville and then into the automobile industry. As a very successful automobile dealer, he served as chief executive officer of Gwatney's Little Rock Auto Group, owning three dealerships in Jacksonville, North Little Rock and Little Rock.
Bill was an avid golfer, and even with his busy schedule he somehow made time for golf - whether it was a trip to the driving range, the putting green or finding a few hours to play a round with his closest friends. It could even be said that golf was a piece of Bill. He loved the movies, either out at a theater or at home. Most nights Bill sought refuge from a complicated day in his TV room. He could often be found there with a blanket over his feet, in his chair or on his couch escaping through his movies, TV shows, or simply reading books. His appetite for the written word was known to be voracious. Bill was an ardent sports fan as well as supporter and financial contributor to both the Arkansas Razorbacks and the UALR Trojans.
Bill loved his wife deeply and looked forward to their future travels. He was a wonderful son who talked to his parents almost daily. Daddy loved his two daughters, and when they needed him he was always there for them. Bill was also an extremely loyal and loving brother and will be remembered by many for all that he gave to so many people throughout his life.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rebecca; daughters, Christian and Chase Gwatney; Rebecca's children, Emily and Zachary Rankin; his brother, Russell and his wife Lisa from Memphis; his parents Syble and Harold Gwatney; three nephews and one niece, John and David Gwatney, Joseph Albanese and Megan Gwatney, all from Memphis; an uncle, Jim Gwatney; along with many other extended family members. The honoring and celebration of Bill's life will be held Monday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Visitation is scheduled at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills in North Little Rock on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The burial will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice or to the Bill Gwatney Scholarship Fund at UALR, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or to a charity of choice in Bill's name. www.griffinleggettresthills.com.
Also, this is no surprise, but Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church should be in attendance, albeit 50 yards away.
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 8/16/2008 04:36:00 PM | Permalink |
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