William Henry Griffin, Jr.

William Henry Griffin, Jr., 93, of Little Rock, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2013. He was the son of the late William H. and Wilsie Griffin. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Caroline Griffin, his sister, Margaret Reynolds, and his brother, Donald Griffin. He is survived by three children, William Henry Griffin III (Mary Ann), Carolyn Henriksen (Art) and Wilsie Griffin, all of Little Rock; one brother, Richard Griffin (Mary Dee), also of Little Rock; seven grandchildren, Melanie Matthews, Diane Butler (Mike), Billy Griffin (Ginger), Cupie Jaros (Phil), Wes Henriksen (Kristy), Lynn Tiner (Amanda), and Natalie Goldsby (Tal), twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. He served on the Board of Stewards and participated in many church volunteer programs. He was employed by the former Fones Brothers Hardware and Furniture Company for 40 years, where he was a salesman and then, manager of the furniture department before retiring. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. He served in World War II with the 3rd Army Infantry Division under General Patton. He was captured by the Germans and held prisoner for a short time before escaping. He returned to the front, where he was wounded in Ardennes Forest during the "Battle of the Bulge." He received several medals, including the Purple Heart. The family wishes to thank special caregiver, Ertha Coleman, for her loving and compassionate care of Bill and his family. Funeral services will be Monday, May 13 at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, followed by interment with Military Honors at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock. Visitation will be Sunday, May 12 from 2-4 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 723 Center St., Little Rock, Ark. 72201 or Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, No. Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mr. Griffin's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.