HOPE--William Ellis “Bill” Tolleson, Sr., 85, died Saturday, July 10, 2010, at a medical center in Fayetteville.
He was born to Maxine and C.P. Tolleson on February 23, 1925, in Wright City, Oklahoma. He grew up in Hope and graduated from Hope High School. In 1943, he joined the Army to serve his country in Europe during WWII with the 103rd Infantry Division, 409th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Fox Company until 1946.
He married Mary Stuart Jackson, July 11, 1948. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in civil engineering, they settled in Hope and he joined his father’s business, Tol-E-Tex Oil Co.
He managed the International Harvester dealership in Hope for 40 years.
He was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hope; president of the Hope Public School Board for 10 years, and helped facilitate the public schools through desegregation; served on the Hope Water and Light Commission; and served his community in many ways.
He felt extremely blessed by his children and grandchildren. He never had a harsh word or dishonest action. He spent his retirement years with his faithful companion, Roscoe, working on his home and farm.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mary Stuart, and his sister, Mary Pauline “ Polly” Huber.
He is survived by two sons, Bill Tolleson, Jr., of Hope; Tom Tolleson, of Evergreen, Colo. ;six daughters, Molly Reyenga, of Robertsdale, Ala., Jenny Hardy, of Durango, Colo., Susan Watkins, of Fayetteville, Emily Mistretta, of Lakeland, Fla., Kathy Tolleson, of Little Rock, Sarah Goodgame, of Fayetteville;
13 grandchildren and three great-grand children.
The family wishes to thank his dear friends Elaine Douglas and Janet Latham for their kindness and friendship of the past 10 years.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, at First Presbyterian Church, 701 South Main St., in Hope, with Dr. Phil McLarty officiating. Private burial services will be held. Arrangements are by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, in Hope.
Visitation will be Monday, July 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, 1001 South Main St., in Hope. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 701 South Main St., Hope, Ar., 71801.
