Bill Looney, Past President of BPOA

Thursday October 18, 2012

WILLIAM P. “BILL” LOONEY of Little Rock, was mercifully taken by his Savior Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Bill was born on February 10, 1924 in Plumerville, Arkansas to Benjamin Franklin and Alma Palmer Looney. Bill graduated from Plumerville High School in 1942. He volunteered for the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii, where he served in aircraft maintenance and repair. He was interested in flying and took flying lessons in college, earning his pilot license to fly small planes.

After the war he attended Arkansas Tech on the GI bill and graduated in January 1950. He started work for the Arkansas Highway Department in January 1950 and worked there for 37 years, beginning in the planning and research department. He then became the Highway Public Affairs Officer for Director Henry Gray. Bill traveled all over the state and was the Highway Department representative to the Arkansas Legislature. He loved to talk to people and never met a stranger.

Bill joined Oak Forest United Methodist Church in 1955 where he served in many ways. He served as president of the administrative board and as a Sunday school teacher for jr. high youth. He served as chair of the evangelism committee for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ben Jr. and A.W. Looney, sister Pauline Canady, and his daughter Becky Looney Newman. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Charlene Bryant Looney; son, Randy and wife Rita Looney; granddaughter Becca and husband Carter Sample; grandson Kyle Looney; sister Joyce McReynolds; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501) 224-8300. Funeral services will be held at 10: a.m., Friday, October 19, 2012 at Oak Forest United Methodist Church, with Reverend Russ Breshears officiating. Interment will be at Plumerville Cemetery, Plumerville, Ark. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 2415 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, Arkansas 72204. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.