Clarence Leslie Williams

Clarence Leslie Williams, 92, of Bella Vista, Arkansas passed away peacefully on January 28, 2017. A Memorial Service will be held on February 4th at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. Interment will be in the Williams Family Plot in the Neodesha Cemetery. Born May 15, 1924 in Neodesha, Kan. to Orrin and Florence (Bunzel) Williams. He attended Neodesha Public Schools where he lettered in football, basketball and track. Soon after graduation, Clarence enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in World War II as a bombardier at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. During the war, on March 15, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Harriet Sharpe, while stationed in Florida. They were married 71 years at the time of his death. After his military discharge, Clarence attended college on the GI Bill at Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg. His love of sports led him to major in Education specializing in Industrial Arts and coaching graduating in 1948. Clarence began his teaching and coaching career in Maize, KS; Sedgwick, KS; and El Dorado, Kan. While coaching in Sedgwick, Clarence's 1951-52 basketball team played for the state championship. In 1956, Clarence received his Master of Education Degree and moved into administration with the Emporia, Kan. public schools and Superintendent at Scott City, Kan. In 1984 they retired to Bella Vista, Ark. where he enjoyed woodworking and golf. Clarence also worked as a student recruiter for Tulsa University and supported the Rogers, Ark. public schools as an assistant elementary principal. Clarence was a member of Bentonville Masonic Lodge No. 56, F&AM of Bentonville, Ark. and Shriner International. He was also a long time active member of United Methodist Men and Lions Club. Clarence is survived by his wife, Harriet Williams, children Robert and Ann of Bella Vista, Ark.; David (Ann) of Wichita, KS; grandchildren Erinn, Meghan, Brenton and Emma and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Orinn and Florence Williams and Emil and Burzilla Sharpe as well as his five brothers and two sisters. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.