of Little Rock, AR
September 4, 1946 - August 3, 2020
William Riley (Bill) Munday, Jr., 73, of Little Rock died unexpectedly on August 3 of a massive heart attack. He was an accomplished businessman, yet was perhaps best known for his success as a hot air balloon enthusiast. His lightning wit, positive attitude and kindness gained him friends all over the world. If you knew Bill from high school, business, or his many hobbies, you remained his friend for life.
Bill lived in Little Rock as a youngster, but at age 11, he and his family moved back to his hometown of Cleveland, Mississippi. He vowed then that he would return to Arkansas and he did, following college. He graduated from Cleveland High School in Mississippi and from Mississippi Delta Community College, where he studied electronics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in electrical engineering from the University of Memphis. Bill served in the 479th Army Reserves, based in Clarksdale, MS. From 1967 to 1973.
Bill was smart, conscientious, and personable as an electrical engineer and his career took him to several states and overseas where he managed complex projects. His career began as a Tech Craftsman with AT&T Long Lines in the early 1970's. He later moved into sales, first as the Western U.S. Sales Manager at NMI, then U.S. Sales Manager at Quintron Systems, and later he transitioned into international sales at Cellcore/Sentori. In the late 1980's, he owned 501 Cellular, an early mobile phone installation company, working with John Toombs.
In 1969, Bill became the nation's first hot air balloon owner east of the Mississippi River. His balloon adventures continued by flying in the 1970's for John Weathersby and Weathersby Chevrolet in Indianola, Mississippi. He was also a partner with Wayne Woods in several "Arkansas is a Natural" balloons and with Gene Pfeifer in the "Rainbow" balloon.
In 1976, he became the first person to fly a hot air balloon in the Houston sAstrodome. He and his wife Charlotte were married in a hot air balloon and were featured in the Sept. 27, 1976 issue of People magazine.
He enjoyed referring to himself as an aeronaut. Over the years, Bill taught numerous people how to fly balloons. It is estimated that he had 10,000 hours as a pilot in command. A true outdoorsman, he was also a hang-glider pilot, having flown off Lookout Mountain and Mount Magazine many times.
When his sons were growing up, Bill's greatest joy came from sharing camping and motorcycling with them. Bill was also an avid sailor, scuba diver, amateur astronomer and lover of Porsche sports cars.
He was highly skilled at fixing almost anything, more so than any of friends, and he was always available to them to help out of a tight spot.
Bill had a wonderful sense of humor and always had an appropriate saying or joke for any occasion. He loved Country and Western song titles and his favorite was "If your phone don't ring, it's me."
He was predeceased by his parents, William Riley and Sue Myatt Munday, his sister Linda Sue Munday Martin, and a grandson, Jack Riley Michael Munday. He is survived by his sister Ann Munday Priest (Dave) of Charleston, S.C. and brother-in-law Hank Martin (Beth), of Pawleys Island, S.C. and Murfreesboro, TN.; his sons Trey Munday (Joanna) of Carlsbad, California, and Matthew Munday (Jamie) of Dallas, Texas; grandsons Samuel Jacob Munday and Bowen Elijah Munday; granddaughters Isabella Nicole Munday and Mattisyn Lee Munday; countless loyal and abiding friends, and his beloved dog Jack, who was his constant companion for over ten years.
Due to the Covid-19 virus, no service is planned at this time, but a Celebration of Life event will be held in the coming months for family, friends and associates. Condolences can be expressed on Roller-Chenal Funeral Home's website at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal . Memorials can be made to one's favorite charity or to Care for Animals, 5516 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72207.
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9 Condolence(s)
Betty Jo ("BJ" Abraham
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
To all the family and his friends with whom he interacted almost daily: I am so for the loss of Bill. We ALL feel that loss, that empty place! HE cannot be replaced!
I first met Bill in '63 or '64. I was doing my student teaching from Delta State at Cleveland High School. Bill was in my Homeroom class. I was only 4 years older than him. We became fast friends. The summer I graduated from college, he graduated from H.S. He and I and a girl friend of mine and guy friend of his took a summer vacation before our next phase of life as young adults. We went to Pensacola Beach and Panama City. None of us were dating each other, just went as friends. We didn't even make reservations. Just kept looking for motel rooms when we got to the places we were going. We had a blast!
We stayed in contact for years. Kinda lost touch after I moved to Atlanta and Bill got married and had a son. Every now and then, he'd be in Atlanta on business and we'd meet and visit.
One of Bill's many interests was motorcycles. My dad had a motorcycle shop about 35-40 miles from Bill. He used to take his bike there for parts and just to visit -- we all know Bill could fix ANYthing! Bill liked to remind me that Daddy knew him before I did! He became a friend of the family.
We reconnected again in about 2010-2011. It was just like we'd never lost each other all those years. I can't think of anything to add to what all of you have said about Bill. He was a TREASURE! So friendly, so funny, so unique, so talented in MANY ways, such a good heart. So generous in helping people, in fixing things, and teaching others how. He walked me through repairs of gadgets, small appliances or whatever, just over the phone -- and without even FaceTime or Zoom. When FaceTime did arrive, "we" would fix things THAT way. He also talked to a couple of my handymen or repair persons cause he always had good ideas that WORKED! They were open to him and never saw him as a threat. They were in awe of his knowledge and expertise, like I was! And he helped me and taught me about all my electronics!!
We talked on the phone for over an hour many times the last few years of his life. We reminisced and laughed until the wee hours. He had a fantastic memory, many friends, and SO many stories to share. He was a master storyteller himself! We also got to visit again in person a few times over the last 10 years!
I got to meet some of his friends in person--but I already knew them AND Jack (woof!) because Bill talked about y'all all the time. So I "knew" you before I actually met you! And MY friends "know" him, too. I miss him a lot. I know that his family does and those blessed enough to live near him and see him often! He loved life and lived it to the fullest! And he had 9 lives . . . well, maybe just 5 or 6. Amazing guy; never gave up!
Sorry I got carried away, y'all -- hard to STOP talking about Bill Munday. In fact, I never will! Love you, Bill, my long-time faithful friend!
"BJ"
Miles Price
Monday, June 28, 2021
On behalf of The Late Charles F. Price family. Our deepest empathy and condolences. Bill and Our Family were so very close. We shall miss Bill as he taught us all so well. Thank you Bill for being such a great friends. Godspeed sir, Miles
Don Drane
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
A friend from a young age as we were neighbors in Cleveland's Fairfield Subdivision. I challenged his older sister, Linda, to a barefoot footrace in the street and she beat me badly. Bill laughed and collected my quarter.
Bill was a character, a card, a comic and an all-around good guy...but, you had to keep one eye on him at all times or he'd pull one on you. Bill and I (and a few others) had a tree house on Canal Street at the back of our subdivision. Bill was a year older and decided to tell me about the facts of life on one of our world missions in that Hackberry tree-house.
As we looked out across the expanse of Delta cotton fields and an endless horizon in the distance, he told me stuff about the birds and the bees that could not possibly have been true. Somebody had shared it with Bill and he felt an obligation since we were joint officers in the tree-house and I was uneducated. I discounted that stuff but it later turned out he was right!
He later turned into a gentleman, a scholar and a man of many accomplishments. But he would no doubt still pull one on you. R.I.P.
Brad Taylor
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
My sincere condolences to the Munday family. We lost an incredible man.
I met Bill at NMI and worked for him at Quintron. We were friends outside of work for years. Bill taught me how to fly and was my dive buddy on trips to the Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Turks and Caicos with guys like David Eastland, Dan Davis and Slick Lawson. He was a great friend, mentor and fun to be around. His stories were priceless.
Gonna miss you Capt. Bill,
Brad
John M. Weathersby, Jr.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
One. of. a. kind.
Capt Munday was a very special soul and brought joy and adventure to all he ever met. Godspeed, Capt Munday. Godspeed.
jmw
Gloria Hodgson Bearden
Monday, September 7, 2020
My deepest sympathy for his family and friends at the loss of such an incredible man. He was truly the epitome of the fine Southern Gentleman.
ANN M PRIEST
Sunday, September 6, 2020
Miss you so much, Bill.
Jack Russel
Sunday, September 6, 2020
RIP old friend. You lived a full life, made great friends, brought great people into this world and left it better than you found it. Many many memories that will never die.
Richards Honda Yamaha
Sunday, September 6, 2020
We are so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The staff of Richards Honda Yamaha