William Arnold Norman

William Arnold Norman – Born December 8, 1927 to William Andrew Norman, a Swedish immigrant, and Junabelle Arnold Norman, a native of Strawberry, Ark. He was born at home near the Gibson Switch community, outside of Jonesboro. During his senior year at Valley View High School, at the age of 17, he joined the Navy and entered World War II. His mother didn't want him to go and wouldn't sign his enlistment papers. His father, who served in World War I, did. He served aboard the USS Lexington, the first aircraft carrier into Tokyo Bay, after the Japanese surrender. After the war, on November 30th, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Patsy Marie Hannah. They moved to Brinkley, Ark., where over the years, he was a successful businessman, farmer, and active member of the First United Methodist Church. As a young man in Brinkley, he was President of the local Jaycees. Along with a neighbor and Brinkley Police Office, Walter Froman, they built the first Little League ball fields at Greenlee Park. He gave his time and resources to his family, community, church and Gideons. He also loved to sing in the choir. He was a worker. In his last days, when his health had failed, and we mere mortals thought it was his dementia talking, he would say…. "I need to be somewhere ……I need to be working". And now he is somewhere very special, happily working for his Lord and Savior. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Pat Norman. two sons, Robert Norman and wife Brenda, Mike Norman and wife Ann, four grandchildren, William H. Norman, Jeffrey A. Norman, Andrew R. Norman, and Hannah V. Norman, four great-grandchildren, Katherine Matthew, Robert, and Jocylen. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, the 6th of August, 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church. 1075 Hogan Ln., Conway, Ark. Ln lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Gideons International, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or Arkansas Children's Hospital. Service and arrangements are by Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home, #5 Bruce St. Morrilton, Ark. 72110. Online obituary/photo/ guestbook www.bobnealandsons.com.