of Harrison, AR
October 27, 1923 - May 30, 2014
Retired Sergeant Bill Balentine passed away at home Friday, May 30, 2014, after a lengthy illness. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born October 27, 1923, in Howe, Oklahoma, the son of Lee and Arilla Balentine. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mollie M. Balentine, of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Rita Balentine of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Joe and Cheryl Balentine of Springfield, Missouri, and Drew and Kim Balentine of Joplin, Missouri; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous friends and other relatives.
Mr. Balentine served in WWII aboard the USS Owen in the Pacific Theatre as a machinist and gunner's mate. After WWII he married Mollie Richardson of Big Flat, Arkansas and settled in Marshall, Arkansas where he worked as a mechanic and service manager for Hudspeth Ford in Marshall. While in Marshall, he garnered several Ford Sales and Service Awards, was instrumental in bringing an Army National Guard unit to Marshall, and served as Post Commander of the VFW. Mr. Balentine moved to Harrison, Arkansas in 1960 and joined the 142nd Field Artillary HQ Battalion, where he served until he retired in 1984, as a Motor Pool Sergeant. During his service he received numerous commendations and awards.
Mr. Balentine was a mischievous jokester and poet with a great love of humor and bluegrass music and was always ready to help others in need. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Harrison, Arkansas.
Funeral services were Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, with Pastor O. D. Turner officiating.
Burial was in Maple Leaf Cemetery in Harrison, Arkansas.
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10 Condolence(s)
Dan Gilliam
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan Gilliam
Robert Gilliam
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Aunt Mollie and family(s)-
We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Love Rob and Mary Gilliam
Karen Balentine Knight
Friday, June 6, 2014
Dear Cousin Mollie & family. I was saddened to learn of Bills passing. He always reminded me of Daddy ( Floyd Balentine) except Bill could grow a mustache & Dad could not. I feel sure Bill & Dad are in heaven talking about fishing & the good old days. Can hardly wait for that heavenly reunion. God Bless you & give you peace & comfort. Love your cousin Karen Balentine Knight
Lori Gilliam Lee
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Sending my love to every one today after watching Uncle Bill's memorial service that I was blessed to be a part of over the internet. What a lovely, lovely service and tribute to a treasured man. Thank you Uncle O.D. for a lovely service and Drew did such an amazing job and I loved the story of falling the tree. You got me 'cuz .... grabbed my heart and tugged hard!
Thank you for sharing this with us and allowing us the opportunity to say goodbye to Uncle Bill. I wish I could be there to give you all hugs and a lot of love. Please know that I'm thinking of you all, loving you all and praying that Uncle Bill has arrived safely home. I can only imagine the teasing he got from Aunt Helen, Aunt Johnnie-Mae and Uncle Dewight then a "Now Girls!" from Mamaw and handshake from Papaw when he got there.
Love you Aunt Mollie and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lori
Dolores Gilliam
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Dear Mollie, Rick, Joe and Drew & families,
My heart breaks for you today as you say good-by to Bill for the last time. I wish so much that I could be with you today but that was not to be. I hope that the memory of Bill will keep your heart full of smiles and joy for the love and pleasure that he gave to you. He was a force to be reckoned with all his life. He had so much spirit and a jest for life that sometimes got very tiring but you could not ever forget. when Bill Balentine was around. I am so sorry for your loss and I know that today will be hard. I love all of you so much. He is with God now and that should give you some peace. May he tell his jokes and stories to the angels now because we all know that is what he is doing. God Bless. Dolores
Douglas Tudor
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
As an old next-door neighbor in Marshall, I have fond memories of Bill. Molly you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Raymie Leesman
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
I am sorry to hear of Bill's passing. May God be with you in your time of sorrow
Belinda O'Neal
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
I can't begin to tell you the pain I feel for you and your family, Molly. Bill was a wonderful person. it's hard to believe that he's gone on to heaven. we expect some people to live forever and Bill was one of those people at least he's no longer suffering. I will be here for you if you need to talk or anything else. thank you for allowing me to be there to say my good -byes to him. it was good to visit with you and Joe again. I just wish it had been under different circumstances. May God bless you and be with you and your family during this devastating time. Amen. Rest in Peace, Bill, you are in God's hands now. you will be missed dearly :(
John & Shirley Baughman
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
I've known Bill for a long time. I always enjoyed his company, he was uplifting, and liked to have fun and had a big smile.
Phyllis Watts Clark
Monday, June 2, 2014
Mollie,
I am so sorry to hear about Bill. I have fond childhood memories of your family and ours visiting with Johnnie Mae and Dwight. May God wrap his arms around you during this sad time.