William A. “Bill” “Sarge” Sargent
William A. “Bill” “Sarge” Sargent, 87, of Palmyra, Mo., formerly of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away at 4 a.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Beth Haven Nursing Home in Hannibal, Mo.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, Mo. Pastor Wes Gehrke will officiate. Burial with full military honors by Boots-Dickson Post 174 of the American Legion will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, Mo.
Friends and family are invited to Bill’s Life Celebration at a visitation held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.
Bill was born October 23, 1936, in Lynn, Mass., to William Ambrose and Dorothy Alma Stoddard Sargent. He was married to Martha Ellen Buckwalter on December 30, 1981, in Little Rock, Ark. She preceded him in death on November 29, 2017.
Survivors include his children, Dorothy Ann Pollett (Tim) of White Hall, Ark., and Jeff Mitts (Louann) of Plano Texas; honorary daughter and caretaker, Lynn Polston; grandchildren Kelli
Pollett of White Hall, Ark., and Scotty Pollett (Jessica) of Sheridan, Ark., Joseph “Joey” Mitts of Plano, Texas, and James Mitts (Audrey) and their children Storey, June, and Jennings, as well as Holly Mohrmann (Jared) of Plano, Texas, and their children Oliver, Elliot, and Willa.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Martha Sargent.
Bill proudly served his country when he joined the United States Air Force after high school. Professionally Bill, later known as “Sarge” to those who knew and loved him, joined the Pine Bluff Police department in 1965, working with them for seven years, took a break for five years before going back to the job he loved. Bill served 21 years on the force, retiring as a detective in 1991.
Bill grew up in Massachusetts in the area he was born, and at an early age developed a love of all things magic. As a child growing up in the ‘50s, Bill had a magician’s act that was able to play in local night clubs and parties in Boston and later in Pine Bluff. His fascination led him to start a lifelong collection of magic tricks and love of reading about magic.
Bill had a variety of other passions in his life, often scouring antique stores and auctions for the things he loved. He found joy in trains, over the years amassing a large enough collection that his talent and craftsmanship in carpentry and woodworking would be put to the test as he built his train room.
A perfectionist at heart, Bill loved to tinker in his shop until something was just right. He enjoyed cheering on his hometown teams, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics whenever he had a chance.
Bill liked to act rough and tough, and to be honest he was a little ornery, but he was kind and gentle with those he loved, doing whatever it took to take care of them. He showed his love in both the small acts of kindness and the grand gestures he reserved for those closest to him.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fraternal Order of Police or the VFW.
Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute may be viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.