William Barton "Bill" Groom Jr

William Barton (Bill) Groom, Jr., age 75, of Greenland, Ark., passed from this life on January 18, 2023, at home. Bill was born May 13, 1947, in Fayetteville, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Barton Groom, Sr., and Beulah Stone Groom; two brothers-in-law, David Jackson and Alan Davis. Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Debbie; and one son, Will, of Fayetteville, Ark. He is also survived by a sister, Susan Jackson of Siloam Springs; a brother, Tom Groom of Colorado; his mother-in-law, Pansy Fennell of Booneville; and sisters-in-law, Kathy Groom and Joanie Davis; nieces and nephews, Michelle Allen (Doug), David Glenn Jackson (Sasha), Michael Jackson, Ben Goodwin (Elizabeth), Nancy Evans (Brad), Brittany Groom, Adamina Groom, Kaelin Groom Allen (Casey), and Molly Groom. Bill grew up in Siloam Springs, Ark., where he graduated from high school in 1965. He graduated from Hendrix College in 1969 with a degree in Economics. He began his professional career as a buyer for Riverside Furniture in Fort Smith. With his love for the outdoors, and with good friends to partner with, he found his passion as a co-owner of Ozark Mountain Sports, where he worked in Fayetteville until the business closed in 1987. Bill was a very involved dad and served the youth in his community coaching soccer and youth basketball. He was a Boy Scout leader for troops in Greenland and Fayetteville, attending summer camp at Camp Orr. Bill was on the ground floor in the formation of the Greenland Band Boosters, which to this day provides support to the Pirate Band. For years he and Debbie traveled to all games, competitions, and events pulling a trailer with equipment to support the students in the band and athletics. Bill served as the voice of the Greenland Pirates announcing basketball and baseball games for years. He was an avid Razorback fan, attending most sporting events, including track, and was a certified NCAA track official. Bill was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. Bill served his community as a past President of the Greenland School Board, City Council member, and as Mayor of Greenland for the past 12 years. He retired from that position December 31, 2022. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Dee Lee Gymnasium on the campus of the Greenland Public Schools. Visitation with family and friends will be Thursday, January 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Moore's Chapel Funeral Home on Center Street in Fayetteville. He will be missed by a large loving family and many friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greenland Band Boosters by mail at: P.O. Box 57, Greenland, Ark. 72703; Washington County Historical Society online at https://washcohistoricalsociety.org; or to Central United Methodist Church at 6 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com