William Marlan Apple

WILLIAM MARLAN APPLE, 85, of Little Rock passed away July 23, 2015. He was born in Little Rock, Oct. 14, 1929 to Vivian and William Apple, now deceased. His only sister, Dorothy Lynn, died in 1935, and his son, Billy, died in 2001. Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Irene; daughter, Vicki Olmstead (Guy); sister-in-law, Kay Knight (John); daughter-in-law, Alice; five grandchildren: William Apple, Skylar Apple, Greg Olmstead (Meredith), Ray Olmstead (Jinna), and James Olmstead (Jane); six grandchildren: Noah, Peter, Adah, Thea, Ethan, and Conner; and three nephews: John Marcus, Karl, and Grant Knight. Bill was a graduate of Central High School, where he was a member of P.I.E. fraternity. He received a business degree from the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, the U of A golf team, and ROTC rifle team. Bill served two years in the U.S. Air Force and one year in Korea earning rank of 1st Lt. On return from service in 1953, he joined his father's insurance company, W.M. Apple Company. While working for his father, he received a degree from the Arkansas Law School, and met the love of his life, Irene Miller. In 1956 they married at First Methodist Church in DeWitt, Irene's hometown. They made their home in Little Rock, where Bill served as chairman of the Little Rock Censor Board as well as several other civic committees around the city. After Bill's father retired and sold his insurance business, Bill became manager in the insurance department of Fausett & Co. Later, he managed the insurance department for Jess Odom during development of Maumelle. He ended his insurance career with Farmers Insurance Co. and retired in 2008. Bill and Irene enjoyed traveling, and taking the family on trips, especially going on summer vacations to the family beach house in Gulf Shores, Ala. Bill's passion was playing golf – he had a beautiful golf swing. He enjoyed reading mysteries, most notably, Sherlock Holmes and was a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society. He also enjoyed writing, having several insurance articles published nationally. He enjoyed playing the piano, and entertaining the grandchildren with his "Boogie Woogie," and listening to classical music. Bill is lovingly remembered as a gentle, soft-spoken man, devoted to his family. The graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2015 at Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock. The family will receive friends from 4–5 p.m., Sunday, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501)224-8300. His online guestbook may be signed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.