William E. Curtis

William E. Curtis, 81, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at the Bradford House in Bentonville, Ark. He was born June 10, 1931, in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Harold L. Curtis and Ernora Williams Curtis. He joined the U.S. Navy on June 17, 1949, with honorable discharge in April 1953. Started his career with the telephone company through the G.I. Bill. He worked for Michigan Bell Telephone and Western Electric. Bill spent two years in the territory of Alaska installing radar and telecommunications system. He returned to Michigan as a maintenance supervisor for food processing company, who later acquired Jiffy Popcorn. Upon closing the plant, he relocated to California and worked for Martin Marietta Corp. on the Titan Missile project. In 1964 returned to Alaska just in time for the big quake. He worked for R.C.A. Service Company as an operations area manager until 1967. From 1967 to 1981 Bill served as city manager for both the city of Homer and the city of Palmer, Alaska. He retired to Bella Vista in 1982. He is survived by one daughter, Caroen Badge (Larry) of Pinckney, Mich.; one sister, Beverly Conklin of Bella Vista, Ark.; two granddaughters, Ferris Murillo of Jacksonville, Fla., and Coty Badge of Pinckney, Mich. To honor his wishes no services are planned. Arrangements are made by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.