J.S. “BILL” WEEKS,
97, of Little Rock passed away Sunday, May 24th, 2020. He was born in Little Rock on October 7, 1922 to the late Jabus Dean and Minnie May Peters Weeks, raised on a 350 acre farm helping to run it with his father. In 1940, Bill joined the WWII cause and was stationed in Italy serving with the US Army Air Corps 154th Observation Squadron as a gunner. On his 21st birthday, Bill was in a plane crash in
North Africa. He was separated from his unit for eight weeks before being rescued by the Red
Cross. As the war came to a close, Bill’s unit was witness to the hanging of Mussolini. Bill returned home after WWII and married Marcella Riley
Weeks, a lasting union of 71 years before her passing. At the outbreak of the Korean Conflict, Bill’s National Guard unit was activated and served until 1953. He was a proud member of “The Last Man Standing Club” 154 Air Recon at the LRAFB.
After the War, Bill was employed by Southwestern Bell and became active and eventually president of the Local #6508 Communication Workers of America (CWA) union. After 25 years with SWB he joined the staff of CWA. There he attended the University of Michigan earning an Associate Degree in Labor Law, and was considered an expert in that field handling National Arbitrations. Bill was the Area Director for Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Bill returned to Arkansas to be with his children as the Arkansas CWA Representative and retired in 1986. During his career with CWA Bill was appointed to many commissions by then Governors Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Senator Dale Bumpers.
Retirement for Bill and Marcella brought traveling in their motor home and going to the lake. He was an avid outdoorsman. A hunter and fisherman, his love was Duck Hunting. So much that he made a record of his Duck calling. He was a proud, long-time member of the Sylvan Hills Church of Christ, serving as an Elder for many years and was also an International Liaison for their Medical Missions.
Bill doted on his grandchildren Amanda and Stephen and they him. They would like to share their thoughts on their grandfather. Amanda shares: “My granddad was a pillar in my life. To this day I would still argue that he was the strongest man I knew. He taught me how to camp, fish, and love Jesus. The example he set for us of love, family, and leadership will be with me forever. We never once wondered about his love for us… we knew it was unconditional. He loved me and my brother fiercely, and loved our own children just as much, if not more. My life is better because he was in it, and the memories of my childhood and beyond with him will be with me forever”. Stephen wants to say: “Granddad, I will miss you dearly. You have inspired me more than you will ever know, and I am proud to be your bloodline. You instilled in me the traits I wish to teach my children and grandchildren. Traits like mutual respect, hard work, appreciating the simple things, a sense of humor, and showing your love through actions. I also share your appreciation for desserts, and for that I thank you too! This is the legacy you have created and I intend to continue for our family. I love you and will miss you, I’m sure you’re enjoying heaven with MiMi sitting by the lake fishing”.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Marcella Riley Weeks, his parents, brother Foy Weeks and sister Gladys Mercer. He is survived by three children, James D. Weeks (Susan) of Sherwood, Judi L. Akin (Randy) of Redfield, and Jeri D. McMullan (Mike) of Little Rock; two grandchildren, Amanda McMullan Hargrove of Little Rock and Stephen McMullan (Katy) of Jacksonville, Fla.; six great-grandchildren, Reese, Riley, Barnes, Max, Bennett, and Alexandra and many nieces, nephews and extended family that will miss him.
The family request that memorials may be made to Sylvan Hills Church of Christ, 117 W. Maryland Ave., Sherwood, Ark., 72120 or to the Arkansas Veterans Cemetery Foundation, PO Box 6648, Sherwood, Ark., 72124. There will be private family services on Monday June 1st, 2020 with burial in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Please visit www.smithsherwoodfuneralhome.com for guest register.