of England, AR
February 18, 1945 - July 13, 2021
William Whitehead, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Farmer, Friend to Many, passed away on July 13, 2021. William was 76 years old and a life-long resident of England, Arkansas. He had a kind heart, a beautiful spirit, and a passion for helping others.
In 1965, William married the love of his life Karen Archer Whitehead. They created a family, built a farming business, and traveled the world together. They were inseparable until he succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
In 1966, William bought a small grocery story, Whitehead Supply in Wright, Arkansas. He started farming in 1967 at night after he closed the store, renting a tractor and 17 acres. Over the next 53 years, he expanded to farm thousands of acres. His first 3 employees John Harris, Jim Harris and James Davis worked with him for 50+ years and became part of the extended Whitehead family.
William was a member of Scott Products a farmer's co-op and served as its President for many years. He enjoyed annual trips with the Scott Products group for over 30 years, and no matter where in the world they travelled, his favorite sightings were tractors and other interesting pieces of equipment.
According to William, his family was the greatest joy of his life. He was passionate about education and his goal was that his children become the first college graduates in the family, which they did. He was equally joyed when his son followed in his footsteps and started farming with him in in 1995.
William was deeply involved in his community. He helped others whether providing loans or sharing his advice; he always had time for anyone that needed him.
He served on the Mulberry Cemetery Association board for 47 years and as President for 35 years. When he joined the cemetery board, it was struggling financially, he worked diligently to raise funds so that it could operate properly. He believed we should honor our ancestors by upkeeping cemeteries as a place to pay respect. One passion project was the building of the Mulberry chapel pavilion so that services could be held in any type of weather. Services will be held there to honor his life. Another cemetery that was special to him was Nellum Cemetery where he also considered himself a steward.
He was a commissioner at the Wright Pastoria Water System and was instrumental in bringing water and other services to that rural area
He is survived his wife, Karen Whitehead, his children: Beth Whitehead and her wife Linda Lockwood; Brad Whitehead and his wife Jill; he was ''Pops'' to his two ''favorite'' granddaughters: Mallory and Lauren Whitehead as well as two granddogs, Roxie & Scout; by his sister Mary Whitehead Powell and many nieces and nephews; Jim Harris and James Davis.
He is preceded in death by his parents HM Whitehead, Sr., Nellie Fields Whitehead and his brother Harry Whitehead; Herchel and Betty Archer whom he referred to as the best in-laws in the world; John Harris, Whitehead Farms employee #1.
Visitation will be Friday, July 16, 5-7pm at Roller England Funeral Home; Service at Mullberry Cemetery Chapel Pavilion Saturday, July 17 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation for the upkeep of Mulberry Cemetery or Nellum Cemetery.
Mullberry Cemetery: 119 East Haywood, England, AR 72046
Nellum Cemetery: c/o Leonard Woods, 416 Panola Road, Lonoke, AR 72086 72086
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24 Condolence(s)
Lee and Peggy Muncy
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Karen, Lee and I are so sorry for the loss of the love of your life, your sweet husband William. The few times we were around y'all on Scott Products trips William was always so friendly and kind. I can't imagine what an adjustment this will be for you but we will be praying for you and all your family during this time of sadness.
Dianna Wankum
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Greg and I were blessed to share time with this wonderful Gentleman. He was the kindest man who loved his family and left his legacy of what a husband, father, and friend should be. We will cherish time spent with all of you. May God give you peace and comfort remembering the good times shared with him.
Joyce James
Monday, July 26, 2021
Karen, I was so sorry to hear of Williams passing. My prayers and thoughts will be with you for a while now. And for your children as well. God bless you old friend â¤ï¸
Richard H Koester
Monday, July 19, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go to the entire Whitehead family. William will be missed by many.
Patty Whitehead Hodge
Monday, July 19, 2021
Karen, I was saddened to hear today of William's passing. While I only visited with him on a few occasions, It was obvious what kind of man he was. My Dad, James Whitehead, enjoyed slipping off to England and visiting with William and spoke with admiration of him. I can only imagine the loss of your husband of so many years. However, I do know the loss of a wonderful father and my prayers are for you, Beth, Brad and your grand daughters. Rest in the knowledge that you will see him again.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4
Patty Hodge
Iris Glover Everingham
Monday, July 19, 2021
Interestingly enough, I happen to be looking at my England High School year book today. (1962) As you would expect, I was browsing through my Junior class photos. It was my last year there. I was wondering about many of my classmates their lives and locations, then I saw William Whitehead’s photo.
He was always such a nice guy, with a good sense of humor. So I looked him up online only to find that he passed away just a few days ago and the funeral was yesterday! Although I felt sad at his passing too soon, I was so happy to read that he had a wonderful life.
He loved his family, had a successful career, and got to travel the world.
It also did not surprise me that he was such a good citizen of the world who was generous to others and a steward of the land and it resources.
Rest In Peace William. You were a good friend to me and treated all your classmates well. Only a small sample of the remarkable and kind man you would come to be.
My condolences to the family. He is not gone. He lives in all your hearts.
Paula Luebke Wills
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Dear Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you. When I think of you I also think of William, I have always admired you guys! ðŸ™ðŸ™. Paula
Drew & Christyna Bryant
Saturday, July 17, 2021
We are so sorry about Mr. William. He was a great man!! He always tried to help Drew in anyway he could. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bonnie Morphis Magness
Saturday, July 17, 2021
My prayers and thoughts are with the family Remembering him from Wright -. Plum Bayou days. I think he rented the farm land from my Daddy for a while. good memories. Bonnie --Morphis- Magness
Betty Bradshaw Gillespie
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Karen,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I pray the Lord gives you and your family
comfort and peace now and in the future also.
Your friend,
Betty Gillespie
Larry & Sally Cicero
Saturday, July 17, 2021
We enjoyed the many places we traveled with you. So many good times to remember. I will miss my meat & potatoes buddy. Will keep all of you in our prayers.
Vickie martin
Friday, July 16, 2021
My late husband mike Martin worked off and on for many years and William's favorite words well john brown never fells mike always got William's new clothes oily everytime. William was a kind man always polite and gentle and will MISSED DEARLY
R.I.P WILLIAM TIL WE MEET AGAIN
Jeff Wilson
Friday, July 16, 2021
Deepest sympathies and prayers for Mrs. Karen, Beth, Brad, and the whole family. Always had a tremendous amount of respect for Mr. William. Very saddened to hear this news, but resting in the comfort of knowing that he is in the eternal arms of the Lord.
Bart Webb
Friday, July 16, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Gary Vansandt
Friday, July 16, 2021
My deepest sympathy to the family of William. He was a fine man. My prayers are with his family at this time.
Gary Vansandt
Sue Spann Calaway
Friday, July 16, 2021
My love and prayers for William’s family. He was a life long friend and classmate of my brother Creed Spann and his sister, Mary, is a very good friend of mine. My sincere condolences to his entire family. My Mother, Rubye Spann, spoke so highly of the Whitehead family. I hope you are comforted by the many fond memories of a life well lived.
Nancy Cagle
Friday, July 16, 2021
Prayers Karen Beth Brad and family. I have so many fond memories of you all when we did family reunions. He was a great man. I love you all. May God comfort you all during this time.
Deedee Aiken Harrison Ellis
Friday, July 16, 2021
I have many memories of Mr. William. One that stands out was when I was able to travel and do the Dixie Jackson Tour for Arkansas State Missions and he brought me a donation for the trip. That trip forever changed my life. RIP Mr. William. Mrs. Karen and family, sorry for your loss but remember his legacy lives on in you. Prayers for you all during this time.
patsy may jacob
Friday, July 16, 2021
my dear sweet Karen & kids, my prayers are with all of you. William was one of the kindness men I knew in my life. Please know I the love I have for your family is more than words can express. god bless all of you
the Janes family
Friday, July 16, 2021
We so enjoyed visiting with “Pops†over the years with Karen at dozens if not hundreds of ballgames. What a super guy. Enjoyed the obit and clearly how strong of a work ethic he had. Our love to all the Whiteheads.
Brad, I hope you can cherish and remember all the good stories and memories that friends and family will share with you this week. Take it all in ! Rob
Pete and Nettie Theodore
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He was a very special man to many.
Carrie and William Stivers
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Mrs. Karen, Brad, Jill, Lauren, Mallory, and Beth so sorry for the loss of Mr. William. Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. William will be missed by many
Patricia Carter-Lewis
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Where Do You Start When You Talk About A Man That Cared So Much About So Many, Do You Start With Him As A Loving Husband, Father, Brother, In- Law, Grandfather? Or Would You Have Enough Time To Talk About How Friendly He Was; I Always Liked That Saying: "To Know Him Is To Love Him."
He Was A Pleasure To Wait On At The England Revenue Office, Even Though Sometimes He Brought A Lot Of Work In For Me To Do, That Smile Made Up For All The Time Typing. He Was Genuine, His Smile Was Genuine. I Thank God I Had The Pleasure Of Knowing Him and Waiting On Him. He Is Loved!
Mrs. Karen, My Prayers are With You & For You, To Know Him Is To Miss Him.
Don and Trudy Hughes
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Sending our deepest sympathy to William’s family. We are praying for all of you in this difficult time. We were honored to have known William.