Rev. William P. (Bill) Connell

Rev. William P. (Bill) Connell, 81, of Bella Vista, Ark., was called by the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010 at his home. He was born March 27, 1929 in Trinity, Texas to Rev. Richard E. and Bertha Victoria Martin Connell. He attended schools in Texas and Arkansas and graduated from Paragould, Ark., High School. He received his B.A. degree from Hendrix College, Conway, Ark., and Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. He married Joyce Spencer on June 29, 1952 in Dalhart, Texas. While in Seminary he worked as an associate at St. John's Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas. He received his license to preach in the Methodist Church in 1948. He was ordained elder and received full membership of the North Arkansas Conference of the Methodist Church in 1954. United Methodist appointments served in Arkansas: Bay Circuit, Clinton, Waldron, St. Paul's in Ft. Smith, Huntington Ave. in Jonesboro, First Methodist in Harrison, Central UMC in Rogers, First UMC in Paragould, Fayetteville District Supt. of the UMC, First UMC West Memphis and Clarksville First UMC. He served on various boards and committees of the UMC; TRAFCO (Television, Radio and Film Commission) Board of Ministerial Training, Board of Pension, Lydia Patterson Institute, Advisory Committee for the Clergy Economic Conference. Participated in the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Arkansas Conference of the Methodist Church. Attended the 14th World Methodist Conference as alternate delegate. He was Trustee of Hendrix College 1991-1997 in Conway, Ark. He retired in 1991 and moved to Bella Vista, Ark., after 40 years of service in the United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard E. Connell Jr. and Herschel G. Connell. He is survived by his wife, Joyce S. Connell of Bella Vista, Ark.; one son, Tom Connell, and wife, Katherine of Berthoud, Colo.; two daughters, Ellen Mitchell and husband Tim Permenter of Elkins, Ark., Susan Malone of Metamora, Ill.; six grandchildren, Jason Connell, Keith Connell, Tyler Toubeau, Michelle Toubeau, Amanda Permenter, Jesse Permenter; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, Ark. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Bill will always be remembered for his bubbling personality, wonderful sense of humor, his love for family, friends and his congregation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, or Hendrix College, Conway, Ark., or to the Circle of Life Hospice. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.