William Barton Groom Sr.

William Barton Groom, Sr. (known to his family and friends as "Pop" or "Barton") of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died June 13, 2013, at the age of 95, in the care of Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, three brothers, and a sister. Barton was born February 15, 1918, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Elba Elgin and Sue Brady Barton Groom. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1941 with a degree in accounting, Barton joined the US Army and served as an ROTC instructor at Ouachita Baptist College and the University of Arkansas. During his 12 years in the US Army, Barton served in the Philippines (World War II), and in Japan and Korea (Korean War), retiring as Major. He then co-opened the Siloam Springs Lumber Company, which he eventually acquired as sole proprietor and operated for 30 years. He served on the Siloam Springs Library Board and the Hospital Board, was a member of the First Methodist Church of Siloam Springs, and was an active member of the community. He was an avid reader, loved to travel, remained physically fit, worked in his garden, and played thousands of rounds of bridge with many of his friends. Barton was married to Beulah Stone Groom for 49 years until her death in 1992, and is survived by three children: Susan Groom Jackson of Siloam Springs, William Barton Groom, Jr. and his wife Debbie of Greenland, Arkansas, and Thomas Stone Groom and his wife Kathy of Parker, Colorado. Pop has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Siloam Springs Library or The Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road Springdale, Ark., 72762.