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William H. Heard, Sr., a native of Newport, and, since 2001 a resident at Sherwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sherwood, died June 4, 2009. He was 99.
Prior to his retirement, Heard was manager of the Newport Chamber of Commerce for several years. Previously, he was office manager at two cotton brokerage firms in Lubbock, Texas. Earlier, he had held management positions at companies in Des Arc, Morrilton and Newport.
A member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church at his death, Heard was for many years a Presbyterian elder, serving on the Board of Elders at churches in Newport, Morrilton and Lubbock, and teaching Sunday School. At Pulaski Heights, he was a long-time member of the church choir and also volunteered for Christian outreach and visited nursing home residents, hospital patients and shut-ins.
While living at the Sherwood nursing home, he had become one of the most popular residents, known for his good humor and his friendliness with members of the staff, other residents and visitors.
Born in Newport on Dec. 16, 1909, Heard was the son of Walter L. and Cora Jernigan Heard, who operated a large farm in “The Island” community three miles south of town. The family was one of the first in that community to have indoor plumbing, electricity and telephone service.
As youngsters, Heard and his three brothers – George, Walter and Paul – often rode horses or drove a buggy to school in Newport. Later, the family owned one of the first automobiles in the community.
Heard was recognized as an athlete at Newport High School, winning letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. During one track season, he set a state record of 12 feet in the pole vault competition.
Following graduation, Heard attended Arkansas (now Lyon) College in Batesville, where he also lettered in football and track. Forced by the Great Depression to leave college early, he began his career as a clerk with the New York Life Insurance Co. in Little Rock.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, and by his brothers, George, Walter and Paul.
Heard is survived by his sons, Joseph W. Heard of Boulder, Colo., and William H. Heard, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Sharon, of San Diego, Calif. Also by his grandson, William H. Heard, III, of Los Angeles, Calif.; granddaughter, Mary Betty Taylor and husband, Curtis Taylor, and great-granddaughter, Amanda L. Taylor of Carlsbad, Calif.; and by Libby and Jerry James of Conway; April Dikeman of Centreville, Va.; Michael James of Macon, Ga.; Mike and Mary Cogbill of Ft. Smith; Jim Cogbill of Saginaw, Mich.; and Kathleen Warr of Miami, Fla.
A visitation was scheduled from 6-8 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2009 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock. The funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in the main sanctuary of the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock. A reception followed in the church reception area. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Newport.
Memorials in Heard’s memory can be made to the Music Endowment at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205.
Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock.
William H. Heard, Sr., a native of Newport, and, since 2001 a resident at Sherwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sherwood, died June 4, 2009. He was 99.
Prior to his retirement, Heard was manager of the Newport Chamber of Commerce for several years. Previously, he was office manager at two cotton brokerage firms in Lubbock, Texas. Earlier, he had held management positions at companies in Des Arc, Morrilton and Newport.
A member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church at his death, Heard was for many years a Presbyterian elder, serving on the Board of Elders at churches in Newport, Morrilton and Lubbock, and teaching Sunday School. At Pulaski Heights, he was a long-time member of the church choir and also volunteered for Christian outreach and visited nursing home residents, hospital patients and shut-ins.
While living at the Sherwood nursing home, he had become one of the most popular residents, known for his good humor and his friendliness with members of the staff, other residents and visitors.
Born in Newport on Dec. 16, 1909, Heard was the son of Walter L. and Cora Jernigan Heard, who operated a large farm in “The Island” community three miles south of town. The family was one of the first in that community to have indoor plumbing, electricity and telephone service.
As youngsters, Heard and his three brothers – George, Walter and Paul – often rode horses or drove a buggy to school in Newport. Later, the family owned one of the first automobiles in the community.
Heard was recognized as an athlete at Newport High School, winning letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. During one track season, he set a state record of 12 feet in the pole vault competition.
Following graduation, Heard attended Arkansas (now Lyon) College in Batesville, where he also lettered in football and track. Forced by the Great Depression to leave college early, he began his career as a clerk with the New York Life Insurance Co. in Little Rock.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, and by his brothers, George, Walter and Paul.
Heard is survived by his sons, Joseph W. Heard of Boulder, Colo., and William H. Heard, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Sharon, of San Diego, Calif. Also by his grandson, William H. Heard, III, of Los Angeles, Calif.; granddaughter, Mary Betty Taylor and husband, Curtis Taylor, and great-granddaughter, Amanda L. Taylor of Carlsbad, Calif.; and by Libby and Jerry James of Conway; April Dikeman of Centreville, Va.; Michael James of Macon, Ga.; Mike and Mary Cogbill of Ft. Smith; Jim Cogbill of Saginaw, Mich.; and Kathleen Warr of Miami, Fla.
A visitation was scheduled from 6-8 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2009 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock. The funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in the main sanctuary of the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock. A reception followed in the church reception area. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Newport.
Memorials in Heard’s memory can be made to the Music Endowment at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205.
Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock.
