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Submitted: 6/4/12 • Approved: 3/15/24 • Last Updated: 3/18/24 • R705277-G705275-S3
William
April 19, 1921 - March 8, 2011
*see military stone
*Obituary
Benton County Daily Record
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
JUPITER, Fla. — William R. Lobell of Jupiter, Fla., formerly of Rogers, age 89, died March 8, 2011, at Jupiter Medical Center, Bill was born in Detroit, Mich., on April 19, 1921, and Was the son of William and Norma Lobell.
He was raised in Bloomfield, N.J. Bill was the oldest of three boys. He graduated from Montclair State University in 1942, where he played center and linebacker on the football team.
He married Ann M. Cunningham, also a Montclair graduate, in 1943. She preceded him in 2001, as did their daughter, Jane, in 2005. A brother, Stuart Lobell, died in 1988.
He is survived by his sons, Richard Lobell of Jupiter, Steven Lobell and his wife, Anne, Topeka, Kan., and their two sons, Thomas Lobell, Topeka, Kan., Dr. Samuel Lobell and his wife, Dr. Rebecca Lobell, Winston-Salem, N.C. He is further survived by his brother, Robert D. Lobell and wife, Irene; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Bill had intended to become a teacher and football coach following his graduation from college, however, larger events intervened. By virtue of his competitive nature and physical capabilities, he was naturally drawn to the Marine Corps., and following graduation, went to both boot camp and OCS, after which he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He joined the 1st Marine Division as a rifle platoon leader following the Guadalcanal Campaign and served with the 1st Marines at Cape Gloucester, Pelelieu and Okinawa. He was decorated for heroism after both the Pelelieu and Okinawa operations.
Following Okinawa, Bill accompanied the division to mainland China, where the division accepted the formal surrender of several hundred thousand Japanese troops, assisted on the repatriation and provided security to the then Chinese government against the forces of Mao Tse Tung.
Bill remained in the Marine Corps after the war. During that time, he saw additional overseas service. He participated in an amphibious landing in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1958, and spent the Cuban Missile Crisis at the Guantanamo naval base, where he assisted in developing plans to fortify the base from a possible Cuban or Soviet assault. As a battalion commander in the 2nd Marine Division, he was assigned the task of providing security for U.S. citizens and property in the Dominican Republic following the assassination of President Trujillo. He saw extensive service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict.
He retired as a colonel in 1973. He was advanced to the rank of brigadier general in 2003 in recognition of his exceptional performance in actual combat during WWII. He was proud to be a Marine.
Bill was a complex and serious man. He had vivid memories of his WWII service, which remained with him throughout his life. He cared deeply for his wife, Ann, who was severely disabled by polio in 1955, and was her constant companion and caregiver during their lengthy retirement. On a personal level, he was an excellent fresh water fisherman, enjoying both the challenge and solitude. He was also very fond of rare steak, a good malt whiskey, and Scottish terriers.
At his request, there are to be no funeral arrangements, military or otherwise. Bill and his family would be grateful if you would make a contribution to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, downtown, Rogers, Ark.
Ann
October 12, 1922 - June 24, 2001
Contributed on 6/4/12 by wfields55
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Record #: 705277