WILLIAM MICHAEL NEAL
William Michael Neal, 52, of Hot Springs, AR passed away May 24, 2023. He was born on March 13, 1971 in El Dorado to William L. “Billy” and Shirley Wilkins Neal.
Mike was a 1989 honor graduate of Smackover High School where he served as class president and was a drummer in the SHS Battlin’ Buckaroo Band. In 1993, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Arkansas
University. He received his MBA from the University of Arkansas in
Fayetteville in 1996. After working as a financial planner for Equitable
Financial Services in Addison, Tx,
Mike was accepted into law school and moved back to Fayetteville. In
2003, he completed his juris doctor in law at the University of Arkansas.
Mike was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. He knew stats, scores and players from most Razorback sporting teams, and it was rare he was asked a question about the Hogs, past or present, that he couldn’t answer.
One of his greatest joys was being an uncle to his nephews, Hunter & Zane. He loved them as his own, apart from discipline or saying no. They only had to ask, and Uncle Mike would make it happen.
Mike passed down his love of the Razorbacks to Hunter, who says his favorite Razorback memory of all time was at Miracle On Markham in 2002 – Ark vs. LSU. He was ten years old when Jones threw the tying touchdown pass to Birmingham. The extra point by Carlton put the Hogs up 21-20 for the victory, and when Hunter looked up at Uncle Mike, he had literally cheered the right lens out of his glasses. Mike’s sister’s favorite memory was a few years earlier when it rained at a game, and Zane told Uncle Mike he was cold. Mike spent $70 on a sweatshirt, and as soon as Zane was warm and back in his seat, he asked for ice cream.
In his later years, Mike helped his father care for his mother who battled multiple sclerosis. And later, cared for his dad as he endured lymphoma. He was a silent hero who sacrificed to care for those he loved.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Lenora Anderson and Herbert & Nell Neal.
He is survived by his favorite sister, Angi Gibbons (Shane); his nephews, Hunter Wilson (Quimby), Zane Wilson, and Tyler Gibbons (Katie); his great niece, River Elizabeth Wilson; his great-nephews Opie Brooks Wilson and Martin Jaxon Gibbons; his aunts and uncles, Butch & Ann Wilkins, Nelda & Charles Blaylock, Martha Neal and Bobby Neal; and a host of cousins. He also loved two precious neighbors, Minnie Wolf and Dorothy Parkman, who treated him like a son.
The family will celebrate Mike with a Razorback watch party during the 2023 NCAA Regionals. In lieu of flowers, please tell your family members you love them and call those hogs!
Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com