William Melville Hartmann, Sr.

On Sept. 24, 2016, WILLIAM MELVILLE (BILL) HARTMANN, SR. was welcomed to his eternal home. He is survived by his beloved bride of 62 years, Claire Therese Hartmann. He was born on Nov. 5, 1932 in San Francisco, Calif. to Rudolph Braun Hartmann and Marjorie Melville Hartmann. He was a faithful, loving and proud father to his five children and their spouses: Mary Kay (Sonny) Scott, Bob (Leesa) Hartmann, Joanne (Doug) Pence, Bill Hartmann, Jr., and Edward (Laura) Hartmann. He is also survived by his 17 grandchildren: Becky Scott Mounsey, Ami Scott Jordan, Elizabeth Scott, Marc Scott, Stephen Hartmann, Deborah Hartmann Walker, Benjamin Hartmann, Abigail Hartmann, Allyson Pence Parker, Kathryn Pence Smith, Laura Pence, Skylar Hartmann, Madison Hartmann, McKenna Hartmann, Catherine Hartmann, Jay Hartmann and Margaret Hartmann and 14 great-grandchildren who affectionately knew him as their beloved "Papa Bill". Bill lived his faith and served his community both within and outside his church. He taught Sunday school in Lafayette, CA. Bill and Claire were founding members of Christ the King Catholic Church in 1967. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector and also, served on the Parish Counsel and Financial Committee. Listening to the deeper call of God in his life, Bill applied for and was accepted into the first class of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Little Rock. His years of study culminated in his ordination on Nov. 7, 1981. He believed his service to his parish and the church as an honor, privilege and rewarding vocation. He also taught sacramental preparation and RICA classes and mentored people that were entering the Church. After 21 years, Bill retired as an active deacon in 2012 which included 20 years of ministering to the sick and home-bound. For many years he was also active in promoting priestly vocations with his involvement in the Serra Club which included serving as President. He became a knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In 1954 Bill graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BSBA majoring in accounting. After serving in the Army for 2 years, he was employed by Price-Waterhouse & Co. and Jacuzzi Brothers International. In 1963 Jacuzzi relocated to Little Rock, Bill and Claire moved with the company and made Little Rock their home. Bill held the position of Treasurer and completed his 22 years career as Vice President of Finances in 1981. At that time Bishop Andrew McDonald hired Bill as Financial Director of the Diocese of Little Rock. He faithfully fulfilled that role until his retirement at the end of 2000. Professionally, Bill belonged to the National Association of Accountants (NAA) and was a CPA both in California and Arkansas. He spoke to Central Arkansas Chapter of the NAA and held several positions in this Chapter including President and in the National association. In 1974 at the NAA national conference he was elected to the Stuart Cameron McLeod Society. When the Arkansas Chapter of the Financial Executives Institute was formed in 1977, Bill was elected president. He was an active member and past-president of the Founders Lions Club in Little Rock. Throughout his adult life Bill enjoyed playing golf, especially with his sons, bridge with his wife and friends, and playing football with the neighborhood children in the front yard. A firm believer in education Bill was a voracious reader; he studied and was fluent in 2 languages, Latin and Italian. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. with vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. The inurnment of Bill's cremains will occur at the Christ the King columbarium on Friday, Sept. 30. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the "The Diocese of Little Seminarian Educational Fund", 2500 N. Tyler, Little Rock, AR 72207 or "Little Rock Founders Lions Club, P.O. Box 15, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., 501-224-2200. William's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.