William Earl Hobbs

William Earl Hobbs "Bill" was promoted to his heavenly home on July 23, 2017. He is no longer trapped in a body that betrayed him from Parkinson 's disease. He is now free to walk and laugh and talk again with Jesus and all his loved ones who went before him, especially his beloved Dorothy - "Dortha" as he called her. If there are lakes in heaven with fish you know he will surely be fishing! He worked hard to provide for his family, beginning with his mother when he was just a young boy. Among other jobs, he would go and work harvesting peaches each year. He and Arlon would catch a ride and go to Clarksville Arkansas to work for several weeks. They camped out in tents in the yard of Mr. Dan McDonald. William said the breakfasts, especially the biscuits and gravy, brought out to them from the house were very good! Then later advancing and training so he could better provide for his wife and children. He went into the Navy at a young age and had stories from when he was Gunner's Mate on his World Tour on the USS Wadleigh (DD-689 his Destroyer ship during the Korean War. He later worked odd jobs, Acme Brick, etc. until he was hired at Alcoa Aluminum. He advanced to Millwright in the maintenance department and retired from Alcoa after 31 years so he could help take care of his mother. Oh the stories he would tell of work and pranks there! At work he was known as "Hammer Hobbs" and "Ironman" (except when he had back surgery in 1977 and he was "Pewter man" during recovery). He loved fishing and camping, he enjoyed coon hunting and deer hunting, but said he mainly went deer hunting to get to visit and be a part of Arlon's group who had so much fun at deer camp! When he was a young married man and lived in town he wanted to move to the country so badly and was so excited when he bought his first country home with 36 acres of land. Even after they built a new house on the same land he referred to the first home as his "Ponderosa". He loved using the tractor and chain-saw and planting a big garden so he could share with anyone who needed or wanted crops! Always the caregiver and looking out for others - he even continued caring for his friend's widows by delivering gifts of produce - taking care of them even after his friends were gone! William was born in Hobart, Oklahoma on September 13, 1931 to Ava May Elizabeth Tanner (Hobbs Hodge) (1909-1997) and Jay H Hobbs (1906-1937). Jay passed away when the children were young. His mother married "Asbery" Columbus Hodge (1894-1965) whom William said he considered to be his father. Ava and Jay had 3 children: Margaret "Helen" Hobbs (Burris Lewallen), William Earl Hobbs and "Murl" L. Hobbs. Ava and Asbery had 3 children: Dewey Clifton Hodge, Ava Lou Hodge Spurlin and Dwayne Franklin Hodge. As a youngster William moved from Hobart Oklahoma first to Appleton Arkansas, then to the Buttermilk area in Pope County, outside of Atkins, Arkansas and later to Malvern Arkansas where he spent the rest of his days. Best described as a friend, loyal, steadfast, caregiver, helper, kind, loving, honest, quiet, plainspoken, hardworking, and many others. He was stronger than steel and more precious than the purest gold! He was loved by so many people. He helped more people than we could ever know. He was always the strong one both in supporting others and was physically strong as an ox! If he was not home taking care of Mother, he was out cutting firewood with his friend and distant cousin Leroy Henderson for the youth at church to sell for their fundraisers. He organized a gift of a truckload of bicycles to Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock when he was Worshipful Master of the Rockport Masonic Lodge. He lovingly worked on those bikes and got each one in great condition and was met with so many smiles when he delivered them! He kept a photo album of those smiles and delivery! He was a natural caregiver. When his mother was in the nursing home, he and his brother, Murl, and sister, Helen, went every day and fed and loved on her. When Mother's health started to decline in 1975 he stepped up and took such good care of her. In her later years he lovingly cared for her. He was then caregiver of Jean, his second wife. He always offered and transported people to their treatments and doctor's visits out of town or was the first to go cut up a fallen tree from someone's yard after a storm. They just don't make them like him anymore. We love you Daddy. You will always be precious, loved, remembered and treasured! Visitation will be Tuesday evening July 25, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. We will honor and celebrate William's life on: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Regency Funeral Home Chapel with former Pastor Mark Ohms officiating. Memorials may be made to Cooper Assembly of God Church – Malvern, Arkansas or Arkansas School for the Deaf, Little Rock Arkansas. Arrangements and complete obituary by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.