Bill Williams

Reverend Powell Gladstone (Bill) Williams II, age 73, of Marion, Arkansas, passed away on October 28, 2016, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born on September 25, 1943, Bill was the son of Powell Gladstone (Billie) and Margaret Becton Williams and brother of Thomas Coldren, who preceded him in death. Bill is survived by his wife, Donna Bland Williams, to whom he was married for 51 years; his two children, Kathy Williams Kostopulos and Nancy Williams White; and his grandchildren, Madison, Mahlon, Garrett, Sam, and Kate. He also leaves a host of extended family members, an exchange family in Brazil, and many cherished friends.

Bill graduated from Marion High School in 1961 and attended Hendrix College where he graduated with a degree in theology in 1965. He continued his studies at Chandler School of Theology at Emory University where he received a Master of Divinity and Master of Christian Education. At the Decatur-Dekalb, Georgia YMCA, he worked with inner-city youth, promoted social justice, and walked with Martin Luther King Jr. for racial equality.

A retired United Methodist minister, Bill served congregations in Conway, Springdale, Mount Hebron, Trumann, Earle, Cabot, Jonesboro, Newport, Greenwood, Blytheville, and Crossett. Throughout his ministry, he touched the lives of many.

In his retirement, Bill enjoyed hunting, Razorback sports, and spending time with his grandchildren. He became an avid reader of Native American history and culture.

Bill's family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Memory Care of Little Rock at Good Shepherd for their compassionate care.

A service celebrating Bill's life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Paragould, Arkansas, on All Saints' Day, Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a local United Methodist Church or Arkansas Children's Hospital.