Bill F. Mears

Bill F. Mears M.D. of Harrison, Ark., passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, September 26, 2022 at the age of 66. He was born in Little Rock, Ark., on October 28, 1955 to Willie Washington Mears and Johnnie Harrison Mears. Bill spent his formative years in Marshall, Ark., where he developed a love for the outdoors and an appreciation for community that never quite left him. Spending his early years hunting and fishing with his uncles helped to propel his interest in nature and tie him to the area he called home. Bill was a skilled trombonist in the Marshall High School band where he graduated in 1973 as salutatorian. He continued his education, attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and graduated with honors in 1977. From a young age Bill knew he wanted to be a doctor. He fulfilled this ambition when he graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine in 1982, completed an internal medicine residency in 1985, and a cardiovascular disease fellowship in 1988. After graduating, Bill joined Springdale Cardiology Clinic in Springdale, Ark., until he opened Harrison Cardiology Clinic in Harrison, Ark., in 1992. In addition, Bill was instrumental in bringing AirEvac Lifeteam to this area and surrounding communities. Bill kept close ties with his Marshall community throughout his life. In 1997 he received a distinguished alumnus award from Marshall High School. He would eventually help the aging community by traveling to Marshall once a week to provide clinical services for patients who couldn't make the commute to Harrison. He continued to treat patients until his retirement in 2018. Bill was charitable without the need or want of recognition. He was a generous and caring human being who helped many people, a truly selfless individual who made the world a better place. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Johnnie Mears; aunt, Flora Mears Mainord; uncle, Bud Mainord; and cousin, A. Lee Wilhelm. Survivors include his spouse of 32 years, Sharon Alona Freeland of Harrison; son, Willis Dean Porter and wife Kristina Marie of Memphis; two grandchildren, Elle Louise Porter and Owen Mears Porter; and four Bassett hounds, Jerry Lee, Lucy, Josephine and Wilbur. Funeral services for Bill will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Ark., with Claudia Brigham officiating. Burial will follow in Marshall Memorial Gardens. Bearers will be Steve Thompson, Sid Lowrance, Teryl Ortego, Josh Bundy, Chad Bundy, Jared Horton, Matt Magness and Willis Dean Porter. Honorary bearers will be Mark Ellis, Dr. John Wah, Bob Evans, Dr. Ron Revard, Bob Coker and Rob Morton. At the family's request donations may be made in Dr. Mears memory to Searcy County Humane Society, PO Box 543, Marshall, Ark., 72650 or Ozark Humane Society, PO Box 542, Harrison, Ark., 72602.