of Little Rock, AR
March 13, 1931 - July 2, 2015
William H. ''Buddy'' Sutton, born in Hope, AR on March 13, 1931, died Thursday, July 2, 2015. He was a long time practicing attorney in Little Rock with the Friday, Eldredge & Clark law firm. Sutton was a graduate of Hope High School (1949), the University of Arkansas School of Business (1953) and the University of Arkansas School of Law (1959). He participated in athletics in high school and college and was selected as co-captain of the Razorback Football team in 1952. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the U. of A. Hall of Honor in 2013.
Sutton served two years in the USAF before joining the law firm, with whom he practiced from 1959 to 2005 in full time service and thereafter, of counsel. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and was selected as ''Lawyer of the Year'' by the Arkansas Bar Foundation in 1991. Upon the death of Hershel Friday in 1994, Sutton was elected Chairman of the Management Committee of Friday, Eldredge & Clark and served as Managing Partner until his retirement from active practice. He served as General Attorney, Arkansas for Union Pacific Railroad from 1994-2005 and served on the Board of Directors of Dillard's for 14 years.
Sutton was involved in church and community service. He joined Immanuel Baptist Church in 1959, taught Sunday School for over 50 years, and served as a deacon. In 1989, he served as Chairman of the Arkansas Billy Graham Crusade. In 1991-1992 he was elected President of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Sutton served on the Baptist Health Board of Trustees since 1973. He has served numerous terms on the Ouachita Baptist University Board with special dedication to the William H. Sutton School of Social Sciences. For a number of years prior to his death, Sutton served on the University of Arkansas Advisory Board and the Steering Committee for Campaign Arkansas. He was a member of 50 for the Future and served as President in 2001.
Predeceasing Sutton is his wife of 52 years, Peggy Pentecost Sutton; parents Tena and Claud Sutton; sister Claud Ann Freeman; brothers in law, Ray Lawrence and Bernie Hargis, Jr.; and step son Warren Webster Overton. Surviving him are his loving wife, Susan Overton Sutton; daughter Rebecca Jane Kirkpatrick (Dan); sons William Richard Sutton and Wesley Hamilton Sutton; grandchildren Kathryn Kirkpatrick Choate (David), Mary Kirkpatrick Doddridge (Nathaniel), Dan Michael Kirkpatrick (Leigh), and Rebecca Grace Kirkpatrick; great grandchildren Charlotte ''Lottie'' Moon Doddridge, William H. ''Buddy'' Doddridge, and Nathaniel Pentecost Doddridge, Willem Michael Culpepper, and Walden Thomas Culpepper; sisters Roxie Jane Lawrence and Carolyn Sue Hargis; brother in law William F. Freeman (Mary); step son William Ford Overton (Stephanie); step grandchildren Sophie Corinne Overton, Molly Elizabeth Overton, Meredith Payne Overton, Olivia Ann Overton, Warren William Overton, and Susan Sarah Overton; and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends.
Visitation will take place Sunday, July 5, 2015, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, AR. A graveside service will take place Monday, July 6, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens, Hope, AR, Rev. Stan Parris, officiating. A celebration of life will take place Monday, July 6, 2015, 3:00 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, AR, Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth, Dr. Rex M. Horne, Jr. and Rev. Bernie S. Hargis, III, officiating. Pallbearers are Michael Kirkpatrick, David Choate, Nathaniel Doddridge, David Watkins, Daniel Watkins, Ford Overton, and Will Overton. Honorary pallbearers are the lawyers of Friday, Eldredge & Clark. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR (501) 224-8300.
In lieu of flowers, the family favors donations to Immanuel Baptist Church, Ouachita Baptist University, or Baptist Health Medical Center.
I don't have the words to say how much I loved Buddy. When I was a little girl in AR. My dad Armoir Carter owned a cafe where we livid . And the team would stop and eat with my dad when they were playing in Little Rock and Buddy was My man . I served him and got him anything he wanted or needed. I thought he would wait for me to grow up but he knew what a crush I had on him so at one of the games he sent his wife to me at the game. And said buddy want me to come down and sir with her . I ask who she was and she told me his wife it broke my heart but made me realize he was too old for me but I never stopped loving him and still do . All of his family are in my heart and prays. God as one of the best angels with him. I was watching the hogs and thinking about him always do and always will . My love to each of you . Lydia Carter Pitts
Dear Sutton Family,
What a great Christian man Buddy was. He was an awesome Sundy School teacher for years. No man ever wanted to promote to another class.
I remember one Christmas touring Buddy's home. He was waiting for the Chruch bus on his sidewalk with his beautiful red blazer on, a perfect host. My, what a prfect gentleman he was.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints.
joyce moore
Dear Susan and family,
Jay and I were so sorry to hear about Buddy. We were out of town and didn't have the opportunity to come pay our respects to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Loris & Jay
Like so many others, I remember Mr. Sutton as a mentor. Despite having left Friday more than a decade ago, I recall and follow advice given to me by Mr. Sutton almost every day. He was serious man, but he enjoyed a good joke and loved to laugh. That's what really made him special to me. I mourn his passing and send my condolences to the family.
Dear Susan and Family:
I was so saddened to hear about Buddy. A giant among men has fallen. Please accept my sincerest sympathies. If there is anything which I can do to help you during this sad time, please let me know. I am sorry that I was unable to attend Buddy's service.
Buddy was a good friend and mentor. In my opinion, he was one of the best trial lawyers to be found anywhere in America and he will be sorely missed.
Mike
I am so sorry to hear of this sweet man passing away. I thought the world of him! I'll be keeping the family in my prayers.
Amy
My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Loved this family. Great and awesome people.
Lyn, Haley and Brendan Jones
I send my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Sutton. Mr. Sutton hired me in 1993 and I will always cherish the years that I spent under his guidance. I feel honored to have known such a larger than life man. Godspeed Mr. Sutton. You will be missed.
While I have many fond memories of Mr. Sutton, one of my most treasured memories is from when I dropped by his office to say thank you and good bye at the end of the summer after I clerked with the firm following my first year of law school, Mr. Sutton informed me that they enjoyed having me and wanted me "to come back" to the firm. I thought he meant to clerk for the summer after my second year was completed, but he clarified that he meant upon my graduation from law school in two years. Needless to say, I was speechless and deeply honored to have an offer from the state's largest law firm going into my second year of law school. I pause now to say, "Rest in Peace" to a strong warrior and wonderful mentor!!
Lana and I send our condolences to the family and friends of Buddy Sutton.
He lived a good life, a remarkable man who had love in his heart and a kind word for everyone.
I am honored to have shared a few special moments with Buddy in this his final year on earth. His body had weakened, but his soul grew stronger by the day.
Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.
Mr. Sutton was such a sweet and brave man. Glad I had the pleasure of meeting/ taking care of him while he was in the hospital. He will be missed by all. Mrs. Sutton, you were a joy as well and I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers
I remember Mr. Buddy Sutton from when we were members of Immanuel. I remember Peggy, his wife, from Vacation Bible School and I recall visiting in their home and swimming in their pool. They were most cordial to us.
I remember hearing him speak from the pulpit on retaliation and revenge. His word of admonition was, " Vengeance is mine, I will repay."--Words Jesus taught.
Christie and I send our condolences to his family. May they continue his legacy and live out his principles.
RICHARD & FAMILY I WAS SEW SOORY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR FATHER PASSING MY PRAYER,S ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS TIME
Few people have ever found such a place of respect, admiration and appreciation in my heart like Buddy Sutton. He was always pleasant, positive, humorous, kind, restrained, wise, cordial---WELL, JUST EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT TO BE OR WOULD HOPE TO BE YOURSELF, that was Buddy Sutton.
I have been so privileged to work with him on many fronts and to be encouraged by his friendship from the Amazon Valley to the halls of faith and learning at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and Ouachita Baptist University.
You are much in our prayers as you have sustained such a loss! Don and Nita Moore
Susu, I am so sorry we cannot be there today. I know you are surrounded by friends and family as you go thru this loss.
Much love from all of us!!
Every profession has 'stand-out talents.' The name: 'SUTTON' has long been known in Central Arkansas as being the name of a wise and quality gentleman. His legend will not soon fade.
My (and my family's) condolences are extended - along with sincere prayers - to all the host of friends, fellow members of the legal community and the family of Buddy Sutton.
Buddy was lawyer and friend to me at a low time in my life.
Knowing him was a privilege.
May he go from strength to strength in the knowledge and love of Christ.
Susan & family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Buddy was a great lawyer & even greater man. He will be missed
Ralph & Katy Cloar
Mr. Sutton hired me as the first paralegal at FEC in 1982. It didn't take long for me to become totally in awe of him - not only as a lawyer, but as a wonderful person and role model. He was one of my all-time, favorite people - and I never missed an opportunity to tell him. :-). RIP, Mr. Sutton. May your legend live on.....
We were close friends from the first grade at Pasley School in Hope Ar. on ; We would run up and down the stairs of the Court House to strengthen our legs and increase our speed, he could always outrun me; we built model airplanes and would launch them out the 5th story window of the court house; He was as good a moral example as I ever had. I will miss him until the here after but I will never forget him. In loving memory Terrell L. Cook from Hope Ark
I join many in having the honor of knowing BuddySutton. He brought integrity to everything he did and that was how he lived his life.
He made our world a better place.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mike McGibbony
It was an honor to be a friend and Hope Bobcat football team mate with Buddy. He was such a great example to all of us who were a little younger. Buddy exemplified all of the wonderful characteristics in the leader that he was.
Buddy's daddy was sheriff and the family lived on the 5th floor of the courthouse where the jail was located. They called it "High Five". If you were being sent to jail, they called it going to "High Five". I picked Buddy up and took him to school every day, and that close relationship lasted throughout our lifetimes. I'll miss him very much.
Dear Sutton Family,
Buddy will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to have crossed his path on life's journey. His memory is forever. Love and prayers, Bob Riggins and Becky Riggins Dicharry.
Sending love and comfort to this fine family. Buddy was a fine friend, lawyer, and family man. I am very grateful for his faithful friendship. God bless! Pam Fain
God bless the Sutton families. It is hard to imagine an Immanuel Baptist Church without the loving face of this dear Brother.
Wayne and Janice Elkins