Bill H. Fitzhugh

Bill H. Fitzhugh, a humble hero, died October 12, 2014. Born in what he called his life-long mission field of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Bill H. Fitzhugh cast an unforgettable shadow across Jefferson County where he served the Lord and the people for over 40 years. He was a rare blend of diligence and perseverance. He never lost his creativity as he lead thousands of people in their journey with Jesus Christ. He was a dignified man and his life was dynamic in many ways. He was a model of discipline and had a quiet confidence that comes from a faithful, life-long dedication to the Lord. He was an extremely wise man and his counsel was sought by people far and wide. Born on August 1, 1943, he attended Dollarway school district. After graduating, he served in the United States Army for four years. After his military service, Bill enrolled in Arkansas State University where he went for two years. Shortly afterward, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Browning. They had two children, Paige and Micah, who were the joys of his life. Bill was always very energetic and determined. Soon after he and Peggy wed, he opened his own business, while also working up the corporate ladder at Cooper Tire. He endeavored at both for four years. One day a friend invited him to a Kiwanis Club meeting and that is where Bill's life took a dramatically different path. The guest speaker that day was Richard Hogue. At the end of a remarkable message, he invited the men to accept Jesus Christ. Bill H. Fitzhugh ran to the front and entered into a radically opposite way of life. Bill was now a Christian. Later that week Peggy surrendered her life to Jesus also. The couple then sold their business and accepted a small church in Oden, Arkansas. Bill also went back to college at Ouachita Baptist where he attended for two years and graduated with a B.A. in Theology. The Church at Oden was very small. Their first Sunday there was just a handful of people. Two short years later, there were 147 people crammed into the small building. They church was larger than the entire town of Oden. Respectfully known as Bro. Bill to those who loved him, and there were many, he lived the remainder of his life in the public spotlight. As a pastor, his life's work was forever on display when he was called by God to start his first church. Bro. Bill and Mrs. Peggy began New Life Church on Ridgeway Road in Pine Bluff. The church quickly grew to be the biggest evangelical church in the history of Jefferson County when it topped 800 on Sunday mornings. New Life's success in ministering to the masses was only surpassed by Family Church, Bro. Bill and Mrs. Peggy's second church. Family Church began in 1991 with 12 people in the couple's living room. He served as the senior pastor for 23 years until the diagnosis of brain cancer forced him to retire. Under Bro. Bill's strong leadership, Family Church grew to over 2000 people. He was tireless in his ministry to Jefferson County. Those many people who came to know Jesus under Bro. Bill's preaching scramble to find the right words to describe their profound feelings of appreciation and admiration. Bro. Bill didn't just talk about loving people, he actually did. Every day, every moment of his life was dedicated to reaching Jefferson County and every county that touches it with the Good News of Jesus. He desperately wanted everyone to know and experience what Jesus could do for them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marnis Fitzhugh and Hazel E. Kelly Fitzhugh. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Peggy Browning Fitzhugh, a sister, Flo Anne and her husband Gary Steward of Bismarck, a brother, Carl Lee and his wife Joyce Fitzhugh of Batesville, daughter, Paige and her husband Jerry Lawson, of White Hall, son, Micah and his wife Donna Fitzhugh of Little Rock, five grandchildren, Shea Coate, Kendall Lawson, Alex Lawson, Gerald (JJ) Lawson and Gabriel Lawson. Bro. Bill's life was marked by an unusual and supernatural move of God. He often said that he wanted to be a man of unusual grace, unusual wisdom, unusual strength, and unusual favor. He was. Memorial Services will be held at Family Church, Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7 p.m. Flowers may be sent to Family Church. Donations can be made to the Family Church Building Fund, 2500 Highway 104, White Hall, Arkansas 71602, in honor of Bro. Bill. Cremation arrangements were handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com).