William Knight McNeal

William (Bill) Knight McNeal, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on September 21, 2024 after a long and fulfilling life. Bill was born on December 29, 1929, in Nimrod, Arkansas. After graduation from Plainview High School, Bill attended Arkansas Tech and graduated with a B.S. in agronomy from Oklahoma State University. Bill served four years in the US Naval Air Squadron during the Korean Conflict. After an honorable discharge from the US Navy, Bill began his career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Farmers Home Administration working in various Arkansas counties. He also served as Chief of Multi-Family Housing in the State Office, and eventually worked as an independent consultant on housing. Bill also owned a beef cattle operation in Perry County, partnering with his son, Paul. Bill married the love of his life, Martha Lou Parham from Lake Village, Arkansas in 1955. During their 65 years of marriage, they had three children: Paul, Gail, and Jan. They raised their family in McGehee, Arkansas until their move to Morrilton, Arkansas in 1970. Bill was engaged in his communities: leading Sunday School, working with church youth, and serving as a deacon at both McGehee First Baptist Church and Morrilton First Baptist Church (serving as Secretary and Chairman); member of the Morrilton Rotary Club including a tenure as President; and, an active supporter of the schools and athletics at Morrilton. Upon retirement, Bill and Martha made their final home in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he participated in his Sunday School class until his death. Bill was preceded in death by his dear wife, Martha Lou Parham McNeal; parents, Roy William and Mary Joyce Cowger McNeal; four brothers: James Thomas McNeal, Don Carlos McNeal, Robert Lee McNeal, George Cowger McNeal; sister, Mary Ellen McNeal; and beloved son-in-law, Jack Woodrow Jones. Bill, fondly known as “Pappaw”, is survived by his children: William Paul McNeal (Violet), Gail Parham McNeal Jones, and Jan Ellen McNeal Minchew (David); grandchildren: Katherine Elizabeth Minchew Laverde (Brent), Tyler Knight Minchew (Hillary), Michael David Minchew, Elizabeth Knight Jones Bainter (Kyle), and William McNeal Jones; and, great-grandchildren: Maia Elizabeth Laverde and Leigh Katherine Laverde. Bill left a legacy of Christian faithfulness, living his love of God, family, and virtue and bestowing those virtues to his family. Bill’s obituary would not be complete without including a note on his tomato-growing skills, of which he shared the bounty with all he encountered. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Nimrod Cemetery with Rev. Gary Glasgow officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the cemetery. Memorials can be made to Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock or the Nimrod Cemetery Fund.

William Knight McNeal

December 29, 1929 - September 21, 2024