William Marlan Apple

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Visitation Schedule
Visitation
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Sunday, July 26, 2015
4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
Roselawn Memorial Park
2801 Asher Avenue
Little Rock, AR  72204
Monday, July 27, 2015
10:00 A.M.
William Marlan AppleI am a Veteran.

of Little Rock, AR

October 14, 1929 - July 23, 2015

William Marlan Apple, 85, of Little Rock passed away July 23, 2015. He was born in Little Rock, October 14, 1929 to Vivian and William Apple, now deceased.
His only sister, Dorothy Lynn, died in 1935, and his son, Billy, died in 2001. Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Irene; daughter, Vicki Olmstead (Guy); sister-in-law, Kay Knight (John); daughter-in-law, Alice; five grandchildren: William Apple, Skylar Apple, Greg Olmstead (Meredith), Ray Olmstead (Jinna), and James Olmstead (Jane); six grandchildren: Noah, Peter, Adah, Thea, Ethan, and Conner; and three nephews: John Marcus, Karl, and Grant Knight.
Bill was a graduate of Central High School, where he was a member of P.I.E. fraternity. He received a business degree from the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, the U of A golf team, and ROTC rifle team. Bill served two years in the U.S. Air Force and one year in Korea earning rank of 1st Lt. On return from service in 1953, he joined his father's insurance company, W.M. Apple Company. While working for his father, he received a degree from the Arkansas Law School, and met the love of his life, Irene Miller. In 1956 they married at First Methodist Church in DeWitt, Irene's hometown. They made their home in Little Rock, where Bill served as chairman of the Little Rock Censor Board as well as several other civic committees around the city. After Bill's father retired and sold his insurance business, Bill became manager in the insurance department of Fausett & Co. Later, he managed the insurance department for Jess Odom during development of Maumelle. He ended his insurance career with Farmers Insurance Co. and retired in 2008.

Bill and Irene enjoyed traveling, and taking the family on trips, especially going on summer vacations to the family beach house in Gulf Shores, AL. Bill's passion was playing golf he had a beautiful golf swing. He enjoyed reading mysteries, most notably, Sherlock Holmes and was a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society. He also enjoyed writing, having several insurance articles published nationally. He enjoyed playing the piano, and entertaining the grandchildren with his ''Boogie Woogie,'' and listening to classical music. Bill is lovingly remembered as a gentle, soft-spoken man, devoted to his family.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday, July 27, 2015 at Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock. The family will receive friends from 4:00 5:00 P.M., Sunday, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72211, (501)224-8300

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4 Condolence(s)
Harlan Butler
Pensacola Beach,
Liked
Saturday, August 29, 2015

Dear Irene Ann and Family,
I first met Bill in 1956.
I was 7.
Our last visit was two years ago at Christmas.
Bill's personality was sharp as ever. He said that night , "Irene was the prettiest girl he had ever met."
I enjoyed that visit so much and Irene's apple pie. I will remember Bill for all the years to come.

DW
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, July 30, 2015

So sorry for your loss. May the words spoken at John 5:28,29 be of comfort to your family at this time.

John Marcus
Williamstown, MA
Liked
Tuesday, July 28, 2015

So sad to hear the news. I have lots of special memories visiting the old Apple house on Pleasant Place for summers and Christmases. I remember the expensive Batman comics that Uncle Bill used to have in his study, which I would sneakily look at when he was away. Bill also had a great collection of movies on VHS. It was always so much fun to stay with Bill and Irene. I'm glad that I was able to introduce my wife to them and that Bill shared with us some of his experiences in the Korean War. Bill was a wonderful uncle. Rest in Peace.

Thomas Ray Smith
DeWitt, AR
Liked
Sunday, July 26, 2015

Irene Ann, So very sorry to read of the loss of your husband of 59 years. My thoughts are with you.