William A. “Bill” Harper, 82, of Quitman, AR, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011 at his home overlooking Greers Ferry Lake. He was born November, 17, 1928 in Little Rock, AR to Roy and Linnie Belle Harper. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church of Greers Ferry.
Bill graduated from Little Rock Technical High School and joined the Navy in 1947. He served for 30 years retiring as Senior Chief Photographers Mate spending two tours off the Vietnam coast on the USS Coral Sea. He retired and spent 10 years working construction in Pensacola, Florida, also serving as Chief of the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department before moving back to Arkansas.
Bill was active in the Greers Ferry Optimist Club and worked with both the Boy Scouts and Little League. He was an Ham operator and a member of the Cleburne County Shooting Club. He loved to fish and carve ducks as well as other wildlife.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Bill is preceded in death by is wife of 59 years, Nancy Fahy Brown Harper, his youngest son, Robert Sherman Harper and his brother James Roy Harper, Jr.
Bill is survived by his daughter Nancy Lynne Haas and her husband Michael Haas, of Richmond VA., son William A. “Chip” Harper, Jr. and wife Catherine A. Harper of Little Rock, son Russell Steven Harper and wife JoAnne Rolle-Harper, of Pheonix, AZ, and one brother Charles Harper and wife Bunny of Little Rock, AR. He has 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildern.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Greers Ferry, AR. Interment will be in Culpeper, VA next to his wife.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to your favorite charity. Please sign online guestbook at www.heberspringsfuneralhome.com
