William Henry Fontes

William Henry Fontes, 58 of Little Rock, Ark., formerly of Lancaster, Pa. passed into eternal rest at his home on November 29, 2014. He is survived by his loving wife Jody Miller Fontes. Born March 22, 1956 in E. Lansing, Mich. the son of the late Dr. Antone K. Fontes and Katherine Balthazar Fontes of New Bedford, Mass. The Fontes family settled in Lancaster, Pa. in 1960 and upon the death of his mother, Katherine his father married Jean Houck Fontes and together they raised a blended family of nine. He will be sadly and profoundly missed and forever loved by his family. Children: B. Graham (Bess Jones) Fontes, Margaret E. (Justin) Gregg and his six grandchildren: Henry and Mary Miller Fontes and Mary Elise and Hailey Gregg and two grandsons both expected to arrive in the spring. Siblings: Susan (Bill) Watkins, Kris Fontes, Michael Fontes ( deceased) Lynn(Eric) MacEachern, Lisa Fontes Harper, Barbara Dunn, Leslie(Franz) Lembke, Robert ( Susan) Fontes and many nieces and nephews. Following graduation from Manheim Township HS in 1974, Bill attended The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY where he received his degree in 1977. Bill was a hotel executive who began his long and illustrious career as a chef travelling and living in many cities and states as he advanced his career in the hotel industry. Most recently, as the General Manager of the Little Rock Marriott / Davidson Hotel & Resorts Team. He received numerous industry awards and recognitions for outstanding service and commitment to excellence. Over the years, Bill supported various community organizations and charities. He served as president of the St Louis Hotel Association and most recently was a board member for Easter Seals of Little Rock. Bill was a passionate supporter of "Give Kids the World". Billy lived his life with passion, endless energy and determination. An avid outdoorsman, he loved fishing, hunting, bee keeping, horticulture, his dog Little Bill (Willy) and creating and building with his hands. He was adored by so many and brought joy, laughter and compassion to all who knew him. Above all, Billy was a faithful Christian who loved God and his family. Memorial services will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church in Little Rock, Ark. on Friday December, 5 2014 at 11 a.m. with a celebration of life to follow at the Little Rock Marriott. Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pa. in January 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Give Kids the World, Easter Seals-Little Rock, Ark., The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park NY and Operation New Life Surgical Ministries. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.