Rev. Dr. William V. Buchanan, Jr.

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Visitation Schedule
Roller McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd
Conway, AR  72032
Thursday, June 1, 2023
6:00PM-8:00PM
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church
4823 Woodlawn Drive
Little Rock, AR  72205
Friday, June 2, 2023
10:00AM
Cemetery
Hope Cemetery
Perryville, AR  72126
Memorial Contributions
Tanzania Wesley Education Foundation Dept #6488
PO Box 11407
Birmingham, AL  35246

Rev. Dr. William V. Buchanan, Jr.

of Conway, AR

June 23, 1954 - May 29, 2023

The Rev. Dr. William Vincent Buchanan, Jr., affectionately known by all as Brother Bill and by his family as Billiam, Papa, Babu and Daddy, passed away peacefully in his Conway home on May 29, 2023 at 68 years of age.

Bill was born in Jackson, MS in 1954 where he learned to hunt and fish and throw a baseball. He attended Ole Miss (and remained a lifelong Rebels fan) where he became a certified public accountant until his calling to enter the ministry. He earned his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and began serving in parish ministry in Arkansas in 1990. Later in life he earned the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership with Specialization in Spiritual Formation from Phillips Theological Seminary and served as chair of the Committee on Spiritual Formation for the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Over his thirty years of ministry he served Tyronza First Baptist Church, Parkin United Methodist Church, Perryville United Methodist Church, Salem United Methodist Church in Conway, Charleston United Methodist Church, Forrest City United Methodist Church and West Memphis United Methodist Church. He was an organizer, a peace-maker, an animal and nature-lover and a quiet leader who touched the lives of all he met.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Vincent Buchanan, Sr. and Jean Poe Buchanan, as well as his wife, Patricia Eileen Buchanan. He is survived by his two children, William Matthew (Melanie) Buchanan and Elizabeth Eileen (Eric) Soard; his seven grandchildren, Nora, Ada and Willa Buchanan and Derrick, Kaleb, Micah and Elijah Soard; his former wife and good friend, Linda Singer Buchanan; his four step-children, Ryan (Eli) Singer, Matt (Terri) Singer, Lindsay Singer and Andy (Julieana) Singer and three step-grandchildren, Christian Singer and Graham and Olive Singer.

Bill served as the vice-president of the Tanzania Wesley Education Foundation benefitting Wesley College in Tanzania and he taught the college's very first class when it opened in 2017. In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made in Memory of Rev. Dr. Bill Buchanan to the Tanzania Wesley Education Foundation, Dept. # 6488, Tanzania Wesley Education Foundation, PO Box 11407, Birmingham, AL 35246-6488 or online at www.wesleycollegetzfoundation.com.

Visitation will be held at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, AR on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm and a memorial service will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 10:00am.

Condolences can be addressed to the Family of Bill Buchanan, 1820 N. Harrison St., Little Rock, AR 72207.


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17 Condolence(s)
Skip Cochran
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, June 30, 2023

He was my Spiritual Director and I will miss him.



Emmanuel Pius
Dar-es-salaam,
Liked
Saturday, June 3, 2023

I’ve known Babu Bill since 2011 through baba Eric and mama Liz.
He was God loving, gave himself in growing God’s church , I remember his first visit in Tanzania baptized so many Angel House children and now we are grownups.

In his second visit I was in second year of middle/secondary school at Angel Secondary School, I still remember him coming to address us students in the morning assembly/parade, he gave us words of encouragement, words of hope and prayed over us to be successful in our academics and have a bright future. Babu you have gone to the father while I’m in my second year of Bachelors degree in medical school. Thankful for your words of encouragement, hope and prayers.

Lala salama Babu, ❤️

Beverly Watkins
Sherwood, AR
Liked
Thursday, June 1, 2023

Bill was a special kind of friend and I will always cherish my memories of him. Unfortunatey I am out of town so will not be able to attend the service.

Bonface Ghero Wanyama
Mwanza,
Liked
Thursday, June 1, 2023

He was passionate about spiritual formation and disciple making. When he laid the foundation of Wesley College in Tanzania by teaching the inaugural class in 2017, I was his translator and learned a lot from his teaching.
His legacy lives on at Wesley College Tanzania.

Carl and Rosemary Underwood
Charleston, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Brother Bill was a pastor, friend and mentor. His blessing of the animals was special in many ways, especially when our wheaton terrier, Reader, was included. His sermons were inspiring and life changing. We look forward to being reunited with him someday in heaven.

Juli Litchford
Van Buren, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

I was blessed to have Bro Bill as pastor for awhile at Charleston First Methodist Church. He will always be one of my favorite people. His storytelling skills were beautiful, and his gentle spirit reassuring. I know he will be greatly missed by many until the reunion in heaven.

Sharon Park Marcum
Little rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

When my son died by suicide in 2000, making service arrangements were important but complicated. My spiritual son was unorthodox to say the least. I had not been active in the Perryville Methodist church for decades. And Brother Bill was not currently the minister at Perryville. But in a loving and extended meeting with Brother Bill, we both knew he was the one for this difficult service. The service was ecumenical as was fitting, with much from Native American wisdom, Buddhist writings, passages from the Bible, and poetry. Brother Bill had gotten to know my son Jody through many conversations with family and friends, enough to declare him an old soul, which he most assuredly was. He was able to speak about Jody with insight, stories and genuine admiration. At the darkest time in my life, Brother Bill delivered love, solace and peace to me. He oversaw a loving goodbye to my cherished son in a way no other could. In all of his interactions with broken people, he brought genuine love, peace and hope. He was a remarkable and good man. Maybe the best I knew.

To his family and all who loved and admired him, my heartfelt condolences.

Charlotte H. Jones
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Brother Bill was assigned to my Conway church home at a time of mourning in his and his children's lives after the loss of his wife and children's mother. It was a time of healing and seeing Liz graduate high school that they were with us. Yet, he didn't rest from his labors bringing transformative bible study and prayer which led to spiritual maturation in those who sought out growth. I treasure that time and the deeper understanding of the Word which it brought.

Blessings and peace to the family at his loss.

Bobby Bell
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Bill was one of a kind. He really focused on the spiritual and left politics to those who prefer that. So serious. I’m so weird glad to have known this him.

Bob Barham
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

A very kind man who will be missed by many. I was only around him a couple of times when my late grandmother (Muriel Tarver Holland) attended church at Salem United Methodist Church in Conway. My deepest sympathy and prayers for his family. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

David Hawkins
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

My condolences to Bill's family! We shared great conversations at retreats on the way to becoming Ordained Elders in the United Methodist Church together.
Bill was a gentle giant of spirit and I admired his thirst for justice. He was one of the 'good guys' and Wesleyan to the core! He will be remembered fondly! Peace to all!

Debbie Nickerson and Bob aka BOBO
Saint John New Brunswick,
Liked
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Matt, Liz, Linda and family, we send our sincerest condolences at the loss of your father. Although we have not been in touch in awhile I was just looking at some photos when you all were at Ray's farm in Jemseg NB, I have pics of Mel, Linda and Liz on horseback and also Bill in front of the most photographed church in NB, the Anglican church with the Lepers window.
Bill was an amazing man and a good friend, Liz I have stil have the apron you made for me all those years ago. Again Debbie and I are so very sorry for your loss, but Bills passing is Gods gain. May peace be with you. Bob

Debbie George
Perryville, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

A blessing I will never forget about Brother Bill . Matt and Seth were very good friends ( as Seth would say ) the best he ever had ! Seth appendix ruptured in the 9th grade. We were not for sure Seth would make it , so many surgeries. I was a very tired mother after months in the hospitals. Seth had taken a turn for the worse , when Brother Bill appeared and sat down beside me and he told me Seth would be alright . I cried and we prayed . I felt the love of the lord and I felt his strength . In two weeks Seth took a turn for healing. The love of the lord Brother Bill carried everywhere he went was a gift to so many people , but to me he was a blessing to me that day . He was loved in a small town of Perryville.I will be praying for you Matt,
Elizabeth, and your family . There is beautiful music in heaven and your father is leading the chore . I love y’all so very much.

Rev. Dr. Tony Griffin
Russellville, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

I did not know him well, but I enjoyed his presence at district and conference events. He clearly was a man of God. I am praying for the entire family. Rest in peace and rise in glory, saint in light!

Tony Hill
Hudson, WI
Liked
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

A great friend and colleague in ministry. He will be missed. The Lord bless you and keep you. My prayers are for all the family.

Dustin Caudell
Perryville, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Fly high brother Bill. It was a pleasure to have known you here in Perryville and you welcomed all of us when Matt wanted us to come hang out at the house. Matt and Elizabeth I’ll continue praying for peace and comfort during this time. God Bless 🙏❤️

Charles and Gloria Elliott
West Memphis, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Dr. Bill was a dear friend and a beloved Pastor. He came to First United Methodist in West Memphis at a time when we really needed his Christ- like Touch. His calm, quiet, loving, accepting, gentle spirit was so loved and well received. We will always love him and be grateful that we had the privilege of knowing him, loving him and being loved and cared for by him. He was a true blessing in our lives.