Obituaries

William E. "Bill" Stanton

Photo of William E. "Bill" Stanton
COL. (RET.) WILLIAM E. "BILL" STANTON, 66 of Sherwood joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ July 4, 2014. He was born in Fort Smith, Ark., June 26, 1948, attended Catholic elementary schools and graduated from St. Anne's Academy in 1966. He attended Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He received a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his father, William A. "Bill" Stanton; and his step-father, Charles C. "Chuck" Cooksey. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Mary Jo Tipton Stanton of Sherwood; two daughters, Abbe Stanton Fenimore (Dru) of Dallas, Texas, and Jenny Watson Zerbe (Rod) of Cabot; his mother, Imelda Corrotto Stanton Cooksey of Fort Smith; two brothers, Mike Stanton (Trish), and Pat Stanton (Donna) of Fort Smith; a sister, Linda Cooksey Berkowitz (Jim) of Fayetteville, Ga.; and two sisters-in-law, Anita Cates Hardister (Dennis) and Ann Cates Daniel of Vilonia; one grandson, Braden Zerbe of Cabot; 10 nephews and nieces; and nine great-nephews and nieces. Col. Stanton joined the 188th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Arkansas Air National Guard in 1967 as a traditional guardsman and received his Honorable Discharge in 1973. During this time he also began a career in broadcasting while attending college, working as a disc jockey, sports play-by-play announcer and news director for KARV radio in Russellville, Ark. He later worked as a reporter and news anchor for KARN/Arkansas Radio Network, and reporter and weekend news anchor for KATV Channel 7 in Little Rock. He then spent 17 years at the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department as a public hearing specialist and public affairs officer. He also was an account representative for AdAmerican Advertising. He rejoined the Air National Guard in 1978 where he served as an imagery analyst for the 123rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in Little Rock. He later transferred to the 189th Aerial Refueling Group and attended the Academy of Military Science where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1981. In 1998 he started his full time career with the Air National Guard, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and named commander of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron. In 2003 he was selected for promotion to Colonel and transferred to Headquarters, ANG where he served as the Director of Staff- Air. He also served as the Director of Intelligence (J-2) for the Arkansas National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. He was called to federal active duty for Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Allied Force and Enduring Freedom. He retired from the Air National Guard in May 2010 after a total of 38 years of service. He was an avid golfer and he and Mary Jo enjoyed their years together traveling. They took their golf clubs with them and always managed to get a few rounds of golf in at many golf courses around the country. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett, Rest Hills in North Little Rock 7724 Landers Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock, Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. Burial take place at 1 p.m. the Arkansas Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock following the service. The family wishes to thank the staff at UAMS & Arkansas Hospice for their excellent care and thoughtfulness during his battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Arkansas Hospice or the Arkansas Spinal Cord Foundation c/o The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission.

Published July 7, 2014

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