MELVIN CLEO WADDLE,

95, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2020, at the Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born April 8, 1925, in Oppelo, Ark., to the late Timothy and Ruby Goodnight Waddle. Melvin was the longtime owner of Waddle Piano Company in Little Rock and was well-known in the music community. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, but fishing was his passion. In his younger years, Melvin enjoyed golfing with close friends. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Little Rock. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sons, Jimmy D. and Gary A. Waddle and grandson, Timothy Hoffman.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Jean Watson Waddle; daughter, Debbie (Dr. Steve) Bates; grandchildren, Lauren (Jonathan) Joyner, William Bates, Andrew Bates, Justin Waddle; and great-grandson, Jesse Waddle. Other survivors include siblings, Lois Gentry, Cleva (Cecil) Butler, James (Barbara) Waddle, and Betty (Jerry) Childress; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Forest Hills Memorial Park with Pastor Jim Daniel officiating. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. (501) 224-2200. Sign Mr. Waddle’s online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com