RL Williams

RL Williams, 81, of Springdale, Ark. passed away on Nov. 29, 2016 at his home. He was born Nov. 29, 1935 in Spiro, Okla., the son of Daniel and Velma Williams. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Allene Williams, and three daughters; Annette (Michael) Beanland, Diana (Paul) Varner and Carolyn Beard; five brothers and one sister, Thurman, James, Harvey, Dale, David and Shirley all of California; six grandchildren, Sean (Marie) Beanland, Erin Beanland, Cody (Tina) Varner, Melissa Varner, Matthew (Nicole) Beard and Jessica Beard and nine surviving great-grandchildren. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957 and served on the USS Shangri La as an Infantryman. He served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1976 as an Administrative Mail Clerk, serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, and again from 1970 to 1971. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam in June of 1971. A memorable portion of the end of his military career was served as a Recruiter in St. Louis, Tulsa, and Nebraska. The most memorable portion of his military career for him and his family was his service on the Army Competition Shooting Teams. He won many awards for his skill, specifically with pistols, that put him in the upper echelon of competition shooting teams within the military. He was especially proud of his service on the Army Shooting Teams. Sergeant First Class R.L. Williams proudly retired on December 31st, 1976. He was an avid fisherman, a member of the Hawg Anglers Bass Club and River Rats Bass Club, participating in many of the Northwest Arkansas Bassmasters Open Buddy Bass Tournaments. He made his own fishing lures and sold them locally. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Junior Williams, and one great-grandson, William Kolten Don Varner. Funeral services will be Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1 p.m. with Full Military Honors at Fayetteville National Cemetery. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), P.O. Box 1620, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72115 or Caudle Avenue Baptist Church, P.O. Box 681 Springdale, Arkansas 72765. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.