of West Memphis, AR
July 11, 1920 - May 19, 2016
William Lee Barbour, junior passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2016, a few months shy of his 96th birthday. He was born to William Lee Barbour and Beulah Blankenship in Lauderdale County, Tennessee on July 11, 1920. He was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother Lloyd and his wife Lucille Kelley Barbour.
Bill grew up on a small farm outside Ripley, Tennessee in area known as Curve Central. He joined the Army in August of 1942, and served as a Medical Technician to the 835th Aviation
Battalion. He circled the globe with the 835th as they went to New Zealand, Australia, India, Europe and Africa carving out airfields for U.S. planes. On December, 2nd 1943, he was an eyewitness to the second greatest U.S. naval disaster of World War II as he arrived at Bari, Italy.
After World War II, he attended both the University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia. Bill returned to Ripley and was employed by Farmers Union Bank. In 1947, he joined the Federal Deposit Insurance Company and examined banks in five Mid-South states. He married Lucille Kelley on April 10, 1949 and were blessed with a daughter Diane in 1953. In July of 1954, he became president and chief executive officer of Merchants & Planters Bank, which later converted to First National Bank in West Memphis, Arkansas. Bill partially retired in May of 1996, but took full retirement in July of 2000.
Family was a passion for Bill, followed closely by his church and love of community. He was a community leader and felt it important to give back to place he called home. He was an elder at First Presbyterian Church in West Memphis, past president of the Rotary Club where he became a Paul Harris Fellow, and a past president of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce. In February of 2007, Bill was honored by the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a past chairman of the Mid-South Community College Foundation (now ASU Mid-South). In November of 2007, a courtyard and sundial on the campus was dedicated in his honor for his leadership and support of the College. Bill was a past president of the West Memphis Boys Club, past chairman of the Board of Governors of Crittenden Regional Hospital, and a longtime member of the West Memphis Public Facilities Board. In December of 1996, he was honored by the Crittenden County Chapter of the American Heart Association as Honoree of the Year.
Mr. Barbour is survived by his only daughter Diane, and her husband William C. (Bubba) Ayres of West Memphis, two grandchildren Lauren Britton of Denver, Colorado and Catherine (Cissy) Wilmoth and her husband Wade Wilmoth of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and one great grandchild Addie Lynn Wilmoth also of Fayetteville. He also leaves two nieces (Montie Leigh and Barbara Ann) and two nephews (Robert and Thorne). The family expresses deep and special thanks to the caregivers, Judy James, Thelma Switzer, Essie White, Nettie Flowers, Ann Jones, Jewel Collins and Joy Abram who provided such compassion and loving care to Bill at the end of his life.
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10 Condolence(s)
vicki saig
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Diane,
I found out several days ago thatyour dad had passed away. I thought I had completed a message last week, but I see it hasn't appeared. Your dad had a long, wonderful life, and is now in heaven with your mom. My love and sincere condolences. Vicki
Lynn Yeaget
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Diane, I am soooo sorry to hear of your father passing. I always thought a lot of him. My heart goes out to you and all the family. Love, Lynn
Nell Grisham
Monday, May 30, 2016
To The Bill Barbour Family, There will never be a banker so kind and helpful as was Mr Barbour. He was truly a gentleman, great business man, and treated everyone so special..He knew how to treat his customers, and keep them coming back.. I will never have as much respect as I did your dad and Mr Paul Neal too.. I have had the same bank account, of course it has changed ownership, but they show my account to be some 49 or 50 years old...Miss the friendly bank.. So sorry for your loss Dianne and all.. I am Phyllis Cash's mom...Prayers for the family
Deborah Abernathy
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Dear Diane,
I so admired your Dad. He was always so kind to me. When I first opened Different Strokes he came in dressed in his suit and hat introducing himself and offering his help. I was so impressed and probably fell in love with him from that point on. He will be greatlyi missed. A true Southern Gentleman!
Barbara Stewart
Monday, May 23, 2016
Diane, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I know the pain you feel, my thoughts and prayers go with you. If you need me, just call.
With Love,
Barbara
Ava Marotti
Monday, May 23, 2016
Diane, Lauren, and Cissy, I am so sorry to hear of your father and grandfather's passing. I know he meant the world to you all. God bless you and grant you peace dealing with your great loss. My sincere condolences.
Dawn Lehr
Monday, May 23, 2016
Diane I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was always such a gentleman, a wonderful since of humor and always kind. You are in my prayers.
Stan Griffin
Monday, May 23, 2016
Diane, I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Julia Jones
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Diane, we are so sorry for the loss of your sweet Father! Mr. Barbour was such a caring gentleman! He gave me a job at First National Bank in the1960's! I can just see him walking around there greeting customers as they came in the Bank! May God Bless you and your family! Our love, Frank and Julia Jones
Teresa West
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Mr B. What a wonderful man. He was one of the most compassionate men I ever knew. He was my first President of a banking job I had. If all bank presidents were like Mr B the world would be a wonderful place.Diane he loved you with all your heart and showed the world but he also believed in spreading his love by helping others. He will be greatly missed.