William "Bill" L. McNair

Our dad, WILLIAM "BILL" L. MCNAIR, 86 of Little Rock, Ark., went to be with his Lord and Savior early in the morning on Sept. 14, 2016. He was born on Sept. 19, 1929 to Walter and Lina McNair amongst the cotton fields and pecan trees of Scott, Ark. He was the eldest of eight siblings, four brothers and four sisters. Graduating Scott High School in 1947, dad would begin his adult life filled with love and adventure. From a boxing career as a young man, to working for Little Rock Refrigeration Company and Curtis Finch Furniture a combined total of 23 years, Dad demonstrated a vigorous work ethic. As part of the Air National Guard working with C130s and F84s, he would eventually leave civilian life to begin a 13 year Air Force service career that would lead him from Adams Field in Little Rock, to Gulfport, Miss., Albuquerque, N.M., and Chanute, Ill. His work as an Air Tech and Ground Support Staff Sergeant would allow him to travel to Hickam AFB in Hawaii where he took part in the Nuclear Tests on Christmas Island. Leaving the service, Dad would go on to work in Safety and Security at St Vincent's Infirmary. He never allowed his devotion to his work and family fade. Fellow employees remarked that he was always willing to do a little bit extra to include driving people home and bringing staff to work when the snow wouldn't allow for them to drive. After 20 years, Dad retired in 1991. He would still serve his community for several years as a volunteer Fire Fighter and eventually a Fire Chief for Crystal Hill Volunteer Fire Department. As a charter member of Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene in North Little Rock, he traveled on his first mission trip in 1998 to Costa Rica. There he would help organize and train local community members on running a soup kitchen and building a church. Ever a busy dad, he would coach for four years in a Babe Ruth baseball team, spend time coon hunting and training coon dogs for the World Coon Hunts and run a little resale shop outside of his home. Preceding him in death is his wife of 65 years, Sammie McNair who passed quietly in 2015. He is survived by his daughters, Rita Wolfe and Connie Moser (Jerry). His family would grow to three grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Our dad felt it important to keep old friends close, continually making new friends, and loving life to the fullest. Visitation will be held Monday, September 19 from 9:45-10:45 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. at Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene, officiated by Bro. Paul Holderfield Jr. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendly Chapel Flame, 116 South Pine, North Little Rock, Ark. 72114 or to Dewitt First Assembly of God Building Fund, 1520 South Grandview Drive, Dewitt, AR 72042. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court, (501) 224-2200. Bill's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.