William Harold Echols

Harold William Echols of Arkadelphia, died October 26 in Hot Springs. He was born in Pine Bluff on September 1, 1943 to Harold and Francis Benton Echols. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Wayne Echols. He graduated from Arkadelphia High School, where he was president of the student body. He lived in Washington, D.C. one semester of his senior year where he served as page for Senator John L. McClellan (D-AR). During the summer before his senior year, he ran for Governor of Boys State and won over an opponent who later became Governor of Arkansas. He attended Henderson State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He was president of his class his first three years then and was president of the student body his senior year. He and his colleague, Charles Sandage, excelled as a debate team. A member of First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, he was active in the Henderson Baptist Student Union and served as state president of the organization. He also served as a summer missionary to China. He received a Masters Degree in Political Science from North Texas State University in Denton, and completed course work for a Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. He returned to Henderson State where he worked in the Public Relations Office for two years then became Chancellor of Arkansas State University, Beebe. William is survived by two daughters, Wendy Walker of Princeton, Texas; and Rebecca Bond of Prague, Oklahoma; and five grandchildren, Emily and Alex Gay, Montrey, Carlton and Jonah Bond. A graveside service will be held at Jones Cemetery in Amity at 11 a.m. Friday October 28, with Rev Ann Russ, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in North Little Rock; and Dr. John Russ officiating. Visitation will be from 9 until 10 a.m. at the Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Pallbearers will be Bobby and Jimmy Shankle, Ronnie Echols and Bobby Jones. Sign Harold's online guest book at ruggleswilcox.com.