of Little Rock, AR
August 10, 1940 - May 26, 2016
H. Gates Williams Jr., 75. of Little Rock, Ark. and Long Island, Bahamas, died May 26 at Baptist Health Center in Little Rock after a brief, undetermined illness. He was born August 10, 1940 in El Dorado, Ark. to the late Heard Gates Williams Sr. and Pearl House Williams. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1958 and Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. in 1962. He was also an alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.; the University of Oklahoma in Norman and the University of Colorado in Boulder. He married Sharon Jean Gladin Williams, his wife of 54 years, in 1961. As he worked his way from a management trainee position at First National Bank of Shreveport, La. to vice president posts at three Arkansas banks, eventually serving as president of four financial institutions in Oklahoma and Arkansas, Gates Williams was raising two sons. He was a father rare in the days, more a father of decades later. He was the epitome of unconditional positive regard, very involved in every aspect of his sons' lives from infancy to adulthood, always supportive and loving. With his wife, he created a very close knit family that always, to his last days, remained very attached to and involved with one another in their mutual love and interests in sports, film, books, travel, politics ... such a wide range of subjects and passions. Those were engendered by him and his loving spouse of more than five decades and spread to his sons and his friends and extended family along with his sense of adventure and joyful nature.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Jean Gladin Williams, and two sons, Heard Gates "Tres" Williams III and Christopher Brandon Williams. He is also survived by close cousins. As an only child he regarded them and their spouses more as siblings than cousins. They are Amy Love and her late husband, Gary Love, and Dr. William McLaurin and his wife, Margaret. He also thought that way of his sister-in-law, Susan Gladin, who he had known since her childhood. The sons of Gary and Amy Love, Frank Love, Chad Love and Matt Love, who were in many regards raised with his sons, were like more of his children. He is also survived by the many friends whose lives he touched and whose love flowed to him through his kindness, humor, infectious laugh, affability and generosity of spirit. They are everywhere Gates Williams went: in El Dorado, Conway, Ark. from his years at Hendrix College, where he met his wife. They were from Shreveport, Warren, Ark., Crossett, Ark., Camden, Ark. Among them, too, his many friends from Fulton, Mo., where his sons' friends came to love him and his wife in the years of Westminster College, of which both he and his wife must be spiritual alumni. Then, others came to love him in Tulsa, Okla., Sapulpa, Okla., West Memphis, Ark., Long Island, Bahamas, and Little Rock, Ark. Wherever he went, he effortlessly gathered loving friends, simply because of who he was.
A celebration of his life will be held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials/honorariums be sent to:
The Sierra Club
http://sierraclub.org
Phone 415.977.5653 (commemorative gift)
The Humane Society of Pulaski County
http://warmhearts.org/
14600 Colonel Glenn Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72210
Phone: 501.227.6166
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7 Condolence(s)
Terry L Tucker
Saturday, June 11, 2016
I was saddened to hear of Gates passing. I do rejoice that his life was a life well lived. He was the best BOSS I've ever had and I have worked for some amazing people. He encouraged and supported my banking career at NBC. Gates didn't mind teaching subordinates and he was fiercely loyal to his staff. He loved Sharon and the kids more than anything else and was so proud of them. He was one of those people who made my life better just from knowing him. To all of his family, you have my heart felt sympathy and prayers for your loss. He was an uncommonly good man and a great friend.
Rev. David Moose
Thursday, June 9, 2016
While we mourn his passing, we give thanks to God for his life. I enjoyed the friendship of Gates, Sharon, and her sister, Susan, at Hendrix and many years later visiting with Gates in West Memphis. Cherish each other during this time of grief and in the years ahead.
Robert and Becki Schultz
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Sharon - Becki and I were so saddened to read about Gates. In some ways it doesn't seem like our days at NBC were that long ago and in some ways it seems like a lifetime ago. Gates was a friend and mentor to me during the time we worked together. I always look back at those times with fond memories. If there was ever a free spirit in the banking world, I think it was Gates. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers as you walk through this time of remembering and celebrating a life well lived.
Linda Crowe
Monday, June 6, 2016
Sharon I just now found out about Gates home going. My heart hurts for you and your sons and am saddened deeply. I pray God will give you and your sons the peace that only He can give.
I truly am blessed for having Gates and you in my life for the years you were in West Memphis, AR. The years he was President of Bank of West Memphis and i was his secretary were some of the best years of my banking career. He also played a BIG roll in my banking career when asking me to go with him when he was asked to be President and help start First Community Bank of Eastern a Arkansas in 1998. I will always remember Gates as a great man who loved his family and friends unconditionally. Love to you, Tres, and Chris! Linda Crowe
Ann Sherman
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
James and Eva Bakalekos
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Tres, Sharon and Chris, we are saddened at the loss of Mr. Williams, but one thing we know you will NOT regret is the how close your family has been over the years, ending every family conversation with an "I love you" , which is something rarely seen in these days. It's a sincere trait that money cannot buy. We will pray for ongoing blessings and strength for you during this time.
Sincerely,
Eva and James Bakalekos
John and Beverly Dews
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sharon, Tres and Chris,
We were greatly saddened to learn of Gates' passing and extend our condolences to all. We remember Gates with fondness, and his obituary was truly a testament to a life well-lived. Gates touched everyone he met with such an uplifting demeanor. We remember his laugh, and his many interests. He was truly an adventurer. We will remember you guys through these difficult days.