(Bob) (Bobby) William R. Stage

(Bob) (Bobby) William R. Stage, age 86, returned to his heavenly home on October 11, 2017, after a valiant battle with long illnesses. His devotion to his family and from his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is now at peace in Heaven. Bob was born in West Helena, Ark. on September 8, 1931. He married his love, Mary Beth Clark on October 7, 1955. He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth; his daughter Gina (John) Janke; his sons Bill (Tracie) Stage and David Stage (Francis); his five grandchildren; and his three most important great grandchildren. He has one very dear living sibling, his sister, Mable (Sam) Adkins of Sherwood, Ark. He loved and was dearly loved by his friend and sister-in-law, Esther Crawford of North Little Rock. Bob had a special love for children from the time he was the Safety Patrol Officer for the NLR Police Department in the 1960's, up until his current love for Kloe and Mya Janke, Kaleb Stage; ZuZu, CoCo, JO, Judah, Hope and Jill Holland Cangelosi. Sports had a very important and positive role in his life starting in grade school. Many people will remember him to this day for his contribution to all sports, but especially football, when he was a student in the NLR Public Schools in the 1940's and 1950's. One of his favorite things was to reminisce about his sports involvement with his old high school friends. He loved to recall when the North Little Rock Police Department played the Little Rock Police Department in very rivaled football games. He remained a loyal Razorback fan until the end. Law enforcement was one of his great passions beginning in 1953 as a North Little Rock, Ark. police officer and continuing until retirement in 1988. After receiving his law degree, he became a Special Agent of the FBI and after retirement there, a Chief of Police in a small town in Arkansas. He was involved in various other occupations before retiring completely in 2000. He was very artistic and creative and in his retirement years he dabbled in painting, especially flowers and hummingbirds. Bob was a member of First Assembly of God Church and the Challengers Class in North Little Rock, Ark. Since he was with family in Michigan when he left this earth, he will be cremated there. There will be a private burial in North Little Rock at a later date.