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Submitted: 6/3/19 • Approved: 6/3/19 • Last Updated: 6/6/19 • R1271861-G0-S3
March 18, 1943 - November 3, 2015
Billy Edward Blasingame "Bill" of Alma, Arkansas died Tuesday, November 3, 2015. He was born March 18, 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Ora Willie Blasingame and in-laws Tony and Mardell Christello.He graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1961. After attending Ouachita Baptist College, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma where he earned a Masters of Accountancy in 1967. After graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corp serving at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D. C. and Medical Supply Officer for the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970 having attained the rank of Captain. With CPA and CFE certifications under his belt, he went to work for the State of Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit in 1972. Bill ended his career as the Supervisor of Auditors for 9 western Arkansas counties and retired from the state in 2008, after 36 years. Bill was first diagnosed with Non - Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1997, and subsequently with three other cancers. He still continued to work full time, while never saying no to volunteer opportunities. Every organization needs a detail obsessed treasurer, so Bill offered his 36 years of accounting skills to countless organizations: Relay for Life, Alma Boys and Girls Club, Ducks Unlimited, Alma United Methodist Church and Alma Rotary Club. In the midst of all of this, he and Rosemary traveled extensively: to every National Park imaginable, Alaska, Hawaii, and to grandchildren Sam's and Addie's baseball, soccer, and softball games, dance recitals, birthday parties, holiday events, and cheered on the Razorback basketball team from their season tickets (including the obligatory game recap at Braum's with in-laws Herschel and Mardell McClurkin.) He was often called "Mr. Bill" or "Uncle Bill" by family and friends. He was always eager to make a trip to Home Depot or Lowe's to get his "fix" on the latest home, lawn and garden gadget (not that is was ever needed or even purchased) and also frequented the River Valley's local banks and hardware stores to take advantage of the free popcorn, coffee and sodas. He was known at the Crawford County Courthouse as the person who "dropped by" the offices that had goodies to munch on. He was an active member in the Alma United Methodist Church, the Alma Rotary Club, the Ducks Unlimited Chapter of Alma, and the Arkansas Society of CPAs. He is survived by his wife Rosemary Christello Blasingame of Alma, daughter Angie Spencer and husband Steve of Little Rock; son Larry Blasingame and wife Jessica of Alma; daughter Francie Blasingame Frank and husband Dustin of The Colony, Texas; sisters Pat Green of Springdale, Arkansas and Linda Newton of North Little Rock, Arkansas; grandchildren Samuel Christello Spencer and Adell Elizabeth Spencer of Little Rock who affectionately called him ‘Gagok'.
Honorary Pallbearers include Matt Jones, Ed Thicksten, Sean Brister, Rick Clark, Jeremy Simon, Dennis Gilstrap, and Darrel Wheeler.
Contributed on 6/3/19 by billsully060
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Record #: 1271861