William Russell Thurmond

William Russell Thurmond, 45, passed away peacefully March 20, 2021. He was born on June 12, 1975, in Little Rock to F. Russell Thurmond and the late Barbara H. Thurmond and was named after his great, great grandfather who founded Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, in 1851. He grew up in Little Rock and graduated from Central High School before attending Arizona State University, where he earned a degree in Business and Communication. Following college, Will as he was known returned to Little Rock, where he worked for many years in various positions in advertising and as a financial advisor. Most recently, he loved his current job in the landscape business at Arkansas Luxury Lawns and Greens. Will has often been described as possessing the most genuine smile a person could have. And that smile was especially evident in recent weeks while celebrating the success of his beloved Razorbacks. There could hardly be a greater fan of all things Razorback than Will, most recently watching with great delight both the basketball and baseball programs. He could rattle off the top of his head the names of key Razorback players and memorable sports moments going back several decades, and there was nothing more fun than seeing an Arkansas game and calling the Hogs with Will. His deep passion about sports was a joy to behold, and on the very day of his unexpected death he had been over the moon with excitement about the Razorback men and women's basketball teams and March Madness. Beyond being a mere spectator, however, Will spent many years of his childhood participating in the games he loved as an athlete. In his earliest years, he played Little League Baseball, including pitching for a state championship team and winning local fame for hitting game-winning homers at bat. He also loved playing basketball for several years on his church team at Pulaski Heights United Methodist, and even served a stint as a backup kicker with the Central High Tigers football team, when we all celebrated his kicking a winning field goal on one memorable occasion. Will was also an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing. Will's joyful smile, passion for life and witty sense of humor will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Hancock Thurmond of Crossett and Little Rock, and his grandparents: Frank and Frances Thurmond of Little Rock, and Frank and Doris Hancock of Crossett. He is survived by his father, F. Russell Thurmond, and brother, Frank H. Thurmond (both of Little Rock); and his sister, Frances Katherine Lale (Jason), and niece, Hayley Lale, Jefferson City, Missouri. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family on Sunday morning, at Pinecrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send any memorials in Will's honor in the form of donations to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock; the Pulaski County Humane Society; or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home: RuebelFuneralHome.com