William Thomas 'Bill' Stewart

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Another Soldier goes home. William Thomas "Bill" Stewart, 89, of Blytheville, passed from this life Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at his home.

Born in Holland, MO., to Frank and Myrle Edwards Stewart, he was a retired electrical employee for Ark-Mo-Power and Ark-Power & Light Company for 37 years, retiring in 1984. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in many European campaigns and achieving the rank of Platoon Sergeant in Company A, 140th Infantry Regiment. Prior to being activated in the U.S. Army at the beginning of WWII, he was serving with the U.S. National Guard in Steele in 1938.

Bill was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and served as senior deacon for several years. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing and playing with his grand and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn Stewart Tilley; His brothers, Charles Stewart, Rex Stewart and Frank B. Stewart and two infant brothers; and two sisters, Georgia Atkinson and Maude Boerner.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Opal Dean Gowan Stewart of the home;

Two granddaughters, Cindy Byrd and husband, Jim, of Armorel, and Heather Swafford of Blytheville;

Three great-grandchildren, Alysen Swafford, Cade Byrd and Sydney Byrd;

A sister, Delna Carter and her husband, Johnny, of Steele;

A brother, Pat Stewart and his wife, Gin of Gilmer, Texas;

His best friend, Wayne Rhodes of Blytheville; and

A son-in-law, Rick Tilley of Mt. Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Home. The family requests any memorials be made to the Blytheville Humane Society. An online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com