William "Bill" David Leavitt

William David “Bill” Leavitt, 76, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord, Sunday, November 1, 2009. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2001. He was born November 11, 1932 at Tyler, Texas to E. N. and Lois Brown Leavitt. He attended Southern State College in Magnolia and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War on the USS Broadbill Minesweeper. He grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas in the newspaper business. He worked from a paper boy to managing editor for publications in El Dorado, Camden, Fordyce, Benton and Little Rock before opening his own Advertising and Public Relations Agency in 1966. In 1970 the agency name was changed to Leavitt, Ginnaven & Dietz. He was an accredited member of the Arkansas Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the Little Rock Executive Association. He remained in advertising and marketing and as a business consultant until his retirement in 1994. His clients included governors, congressmen, Winrock Farms, Federal Express, and Union National Bank. He was a founding board member of the Institute of Politics in Arkansas and the agency was elected to Arkansas Advertising Hall of Fame in 1996.

Mr. Leavitt was a volunteer in Boy Scouts of America and was very active for several years. He earned the Silver Beaver Award and was Troop Committee Chairman of Troop 395 at St. James United Methodist Church and worked on other numerous committees, camporees, and national jamborees. He was most proud that all three sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

He was a volunteer and leader in business, professional, charitable, civic and church organizations. At Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and St. James United Methodist Church he served on the boards, commissions on evangelism, education and finance and was active in Aldersgate Methodist Camp. His civic affairs included Kiwanis, Lions, Jaycees, Pulaski County United Way, Arthritis Foundation, EOA Agency and Goodwill Industries. He also served on the school board of Pulaski Academy.

He is survived by his wife Betty Gardner Leavitt. They were married on March 12, 1959. Sons, David and his wife Shelley and their son Drew of Lenexa, Kansas; Jason and his wife Lori of Henderson, Nevada, and their stepdaughter Danielle and stepson Justin and his wife Amanda and their son Brycen; and son Kevin and his wife Katie and their sons, Jackson, Mitchell and Caleb of Little Rock; two sisters, Virginia Marks of Round Rock, Texas and Betty Turpin of Olive Branch, Mississippi; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel (501)224-8300. Interment will be at Arkansas State Veterans’ Cemetery in North Little Rock.