William Oliver Parris

William Oliver Parris passed away on November 3, 2013 at his home in Fort Smith. He married his wife of 75 years, Elizabeth Ann Jones, in 1938 while at college in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. They recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary with each other in their home with all of their children. William was born in Mineral Springs, Oklahoma in a small home north of Muldrow. Most of his youth was spent in Short, Oklahoma where he helped his father with the general store, often delivering groceries and stocking shelves. After leaving for the Teachers College in Tahlequah, where Elizabeth was attending school, he soon proposed to her and they eloped and left for Fort Smith to start their life-long journey. William (Bill to his many friends) was an electrician at Interstate Electric during the early part of his career and was the first person hired at Baldor Electric's Fort Smith plant in 1956, where over the years he advanced to become Senior Vice President of Operations. Bill always put his family first and played a strong role, along with Elizabeth, in his children’s lives. His three children have always stayed close to their parents, adopting his positive attitude toward life. He was a member of the 46th Street Church of Christ. William is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his three children, Patricia Campbell of Fort Smith, Janee Crotts and husband David of Eureka Springs, AR and Michael Parris and wife Heidi of Birmingham, MI, and a brother, Ray Howell Parris of San Antonio. He is also survived by five grandchildren – Laura Borgmann and husband Chris of Nashville, TN, Alan Campbell and wife Donna of Estero, FL, Todd Reding and wife Shannon of Grinnell, IA, Erin Dallia and husband K C of Northville, MI, and Allison Parris of New York City, and six great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 6, 2013 in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Roselawn Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Prewett, Tim Laney, Bobby Wilson, James Treat, Earl “Junior” Henry, Winford “Smiley” Thames, Raymond Seratt, and Nelson Wakefield. Family will receive friends on Tuesday evening at Edwards Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South 46th Church of Christ or Sebastian County Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.