William Howell "Bill" Cassaday

William Howell "Bill" Cassaday, age 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas died Monday, March 19, 2018. Bill was born on September 20, 1923 in Memphis, Tenn. to his late parent's, E.H. and Bess Cassaday. He lived in Memphis until he was 19 graduating from Memphis Tech High School in June of 1941 and then went on to join the Army on February 4, 1943. Following graduation and entering the armed forces, Bill held numerous jobs: Thom McHan Shoe Warehouse, South Bell Telephone Co., Bruce Lumber Co. and Fisher Aircraft as a riveter. Bill joined the 511th Parachute Infantry at Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. induction center. He remained in the 511th for the duration of the war. He was in combat once when the 511th invaded Leyte entering one side of the island on a rainy thanksgiving morning and coming out on the other side on Christmas morning 1944. After the war, he went to the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1950. There was a University radio workshop on the campus where he joined and became an announcer for two years. He wrote a form letter to 24 radio stations in east Arkansas, west Tennessee and north Mississippi. He had an audition at KBTM in Jonesboro and began working there on July 9, 1951. Jonesboro is where he met his wife, Ruth. They were married on May 29, 1953. In October of that year, Bill and his family, Ruth, Ronnie, Eddie - Laura Beth who was born 5 years later all moved to Little Rock. He had a job at KLRA radio where he worked for 2 ½ years. From there, Bill retired from KARK Radio and Television after 29 years. In addition, he was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and the Pinnacle Sunday School class for many years. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Cassaday and one half brother, Jack Cassaday. He is survived by two sons, Ron Cassaday of Maumelle and Ed Cassaday of Little Rock; one daughter, Laura Beth Leftwich (Drew) of Forest, Va.; two grandsons, Shane Cassaday and Greyson Leftwich; four grand-daughters, Chantay Cassaday, Genny Couch, Addison Leftwich and Victoria Cassaday; four great-grandsons, Jude Lane, Palmer Couch, Collier Couch and Micah Cassaday and three great-granddaughters, Abigail Lane, Reece Mallory Couch and Neely Kay Couch. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2018 at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300 with Chaplain Stacey Hammons officiating. A visitation will begin one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park with Military Honors. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.