Obituaries

William H. "Buddy" Sutton

Photo of William H. "Buddy" Sutton
William H. "Buddy" Sutton, born in Hope, AR on March 13, 1931, died Thursday, July 2, 2015. He was a long time practicing attorney in Little Rock with the Friday, Eldredge & Clark law firm. Sutton was a graduate of Hope High School (1949), the University of Arkansas School of Business (1953) and the University of Arkansas School of Law (1959). He participated in athletics in high school and college and was selected as co-captain of the Razorback Football team in 1952. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the U. of A. Hall of Honor in 2013. Sutton served two years in the USAF before joining the law firm, with whom he practiced from 1959 to 2005 in full time service and thereafter, of counsel. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and was selected as "Lawyer of the Year" by the Arkansas Bar Foundation in 1991. Upon the death of Hershel Friday in 1994, Sutton was elected Chairman of the Management Committee of Friday, Eldredge & Clark and served as Managing Partner until his retirement from active practice. He served as General Attorney, Arkansas for Union Pacific Railroad from 1994-2005 and served on the Board of Directors of Dillard's for 14 years. Sutton was involved in church and community service. He joined Immanuel Baptist Church in 1959, taught Sunday School for over 50 years, and served as a deacon. In 1989, he served as Chairman of the Arkansas Billy Graham Crusade. In 1991-1992 he was elected President of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Sutton served on the Baptist Health Board of Trustees since 1973. He has served numerous terms on the Ouachita Baptist University Board with special dedication to the William H. Sutton School of Social Sciences. For a number of years prior to his death, Sutton served on the University of Arkansas Advisory Board and the Steering Committee for Campaign Arkansas. He was a member of 50 for the Future and served as President in 2001. Predeceasing Sutton is his wife of 52 years, Peggy Pentecost Sutton; parents, Tena and Claud Sutton; sister, Claud Ann Freeman; brothers-in-law, Ray Lawrence and Bernie Hargis, Jr.; and stepson, Warren Webster Overton. Surviving him are his loving wife, Susan Overton Sutton; daughter, Rebecca Jane Kirkpatrick (Dan); sons, William Richard Sutton and Wesley Hamilton Sutton; grandchildren, Kathryn Kirkpatrick Choate (David), Mary Kirkpatrick Doddridge (Nathaniel), Dan Michael Kirkpatrick (Leigh), and Rebecca Grace Kirkpatrick; great-grandchildren Charlotte "Lottie" Moon Doddridge, William H. "Buddy" Doddridge, and Nathaniel Pentecost Doddridge, Willem Michael Culpepper, and Walden Thomas Culpepper; sisters, Roxie Jane Lawrence and Carolyn Sue Hargis; brother-in-law, William F. Freeman (Mary); stepson, William Ford Overton (Stephanie); step-grandchildren, Sophie Corinne Overton, Molly Elizabeth Overton, Meredith Payne Overton, Olivia Ann Overton, Warren William Overton, and Susan Sarah Overton; and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends. Visitation will take place Sunday, July 5, 2015, 2-4 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Ark. A graveside service will take place Monday, July 6, 2015, 10 a.m. at Memory Gardens, Hope, Ark., Rev. Stan Parris, officiating. A celebration of life will take place Monday, July 6, 2015, 3 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Ark., Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth, Dr. Rex M. Horne, Jr. and Rev. Bernie S. Hargis, III, officiating. Pallbearers are Michael Kirkpatrick, David Choate, Nathaniel Doddridge, David Watkins, Daniel Watkins, Ford Overton, and Will Overton. Honorary pallbearers are the lawyers of Friday, Eldredge & Clark. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. In lieu of flowers, the family favors donations to Immanuel Baptist Church, Ouachita Baptist University, or Baptist Health Medical Center. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published July 3, 2015

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