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 |
1 Comments:
Our Counter Protest Against Westboro Baptist Church at Isaac Hayes Tribute in Memphis!
Current mood: accomplished
If you care, please take the time and read why I feel this way and counter protested.
Wow, today was an experience... no other words can describe to me then that. An amazing thing happen at the corner of Walnut Grove and Walnut Bend in front of the Covenant United Methodist Church. The hate group called Westboro Baptist Church(WBC) of Topeka, Kansas protested at Isaac Hayes tribute this morning between 8:30 to 10am. We had gotten out there at around 9:15ish to get ready to counter protest, and found out that what we where going to do... we couldn't do. Which was to hold up bed sheets on curtain rods to block these hate signs out from the peoples view. But sadly we couldn't. So we did what we could and took all the bed sheets we had and wrote things on them like "One Love" "Erase The Hate" "Honk If You Love Isaac Hayes" "Peace Not Hate" "Stop The Hate of Westboro" and etc. Yes a little cliche, but it said what we all knew that needed to be said. Yes, we don't live in the 60's and 70's anymore but the heart was still there from everyone who came out to counter protest. We stood across the street from these... godless people watching person after person flip them off, yelling, cursing, and being vulgar with them. However, watching the hundreds of people honk their horns and smile at us with gratitude was the best part. Within 30 minutes of us being there they left. NO LIE! and to see and hear cop after cop driving by us and stopping to thank us was also an amazing thing. With all of that said, a man from the Commercial Appeal came up to all of us and took some info on us and what we are doing, and how we feel about (WBC), and what not. So keep a look out for that. Anyways if you wanna know more, because I truly can't tell you over a blog how awesome this was, and to know the power of God is amazing. I know that all of us out there didn't believe in Christ, but that didn't matter today, Today was a day of tribute for this awesome man, not a battle of our belifes or personal life styles. I may not have supported what he did, or even liked his music but that is beyond the point he deserved his time of appriciation. Anyways I want to thank a lot of people. Your friendship and support is GREATLY appreciated!
Aubrey DePew, Katelyn Harding, Christine Farris, Ryan Rhue, Brittney Austin, Kendra Khustoss, A young lady named Tiffany, Maxx Reed, Clay Crenshaw, Bobby Lawson, Gerrett Metts, Bruce Almighty, and Daniel Drinkard.
sorry if I miss spelled any names!
These people are awesome, and I love you all so much, and have the up most respect for these people, and the good in there hearts; this wouldn't have been the same without you all!
And the reason I did this is: The God I serve and love, that feeds the drive in my life IS NOT THE SAME GOD THAT (WBC) SAYS HE IS. My God is not a hate monster. He hates no one. He hates the Sin not the sinner. So (WBC) You have perverted and twisted the word of God to suit your life and views. If it's wrong, and you have to face the same God I do one day. All I know is Christ left a legacy and life style to live after his death and that was in love and acceptance of everyone and everything. And to tell them of the PROMISES he has for us after this life!
NOT TO HATE THEM OR TELL THEM THESE HORRIBLE THING YOU THINK! that are not of God. Or not of the One I gave my life to!
pusssies
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