Bill Thaxton, Jr., 90, of McCaskill, Arkansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, December 17, 2021, at Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born August 24, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, to Burnise E., Sr. and Edna (Veine) Thaxton.
Bill’s two greatest loves and accomplishments besides his church were his family and his military service. He said the only people he had to listen to were God, Granny, and General Patton. Bill proudly served in the United States Army for 21 years, during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He attained the rank of Sergeant Major and served as a physical reconditioning specialist and an administrative specialist. He retired in 1969 after having served in Japan, Korea, and Germany. He earned many outstanding award medals, including two Legion of Merit Medals, the highest award given during peacetime. One commander referred to him as “a soldier’s soldier.” After retirement, he and his family settled near McCaskill, Arkansas, close to his in-laws. He later went on to work for the State of Arkansas for 20 years, the Blevins School Board for 15 years, and he helped with the Chamber of Commerce in Hope, especially during the Watermelon Festival.
He was a member of Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Hope, Arkansas, for many years, where he was a faithful servant of the Lord as a lector, an extraordinary minister, and a money collector. He helped with the once-a-month breakfast and the annual Spaghetti Supper, among other things.
He was an avid golfer and bowler, bowling on leagues with many of his family members. From the time his children were old enough to participate in various activities until recent years with his great-grandchildren, you could find him and his wife at most birthday parties, ballgames, and programs. He could not have loved his family more.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Thaxton; his parents; and two brothers, Hank Thaxton and Dick Thaxton.
He is survived by his wife, Dewell; his sons, Paul Thaxton of Malvern, Arkansas, and Ed (Lynda)
Thaxton of Hope, Arkansas; his daughters, Deborah Frasher of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Kathy (Steve)
Turner of McCaskill; grandsons, Ronny Frasher of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dylan Thaxton (Mary) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Jack (April) Thaxton of Hope, Arkansas; granddaughters Heather (Bubba) Roberts of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Jessica (Jared) Wiley of Benton, Arkansas, and Sara (Aaron) Morris of Stephens, Arkansas; great-grandsons Austin (Kaitlyn), Hayden (Mikayla), Kyler, and Jake Roberts, Pike Thaxton, Denton Wiley; great-granddaughters E’lyse and Maci Thaxton, Jenna Thaxton, Delia, Dinah, and Delta Wiley, and Jane Morris; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.
A rosary, with visitation with the family to follow, will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2021, at Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home Chapel in Hope, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Hope with Father Nirmalraj officiating. Military Honors will follow at De Ann Cemetery in Prescott, Arkansas, under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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