Arnold McCay Williams' Obituary
Arnold McCay Williams, age 90, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on July 21, 2024, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born on September 21, 1933, in Sheridan, Arkansas, the only son to George “Mac” Williams and Virginia Arnold Williams. Arnold graduated from Sheridan High School and then Hendrix College. He married his high school sweetheart Bette Jean Holiman on December 18, 1955, and they moved to Fayetteville to pursue a Masters degree while awaiting acceptance to dental school. He gained acceptance and they moved to Kansas City where their daughter Cathy was born in 1958. After dental school, Arnold served in the United States Army as a dentist at Ft. Lewis, WA, where their son Steven was born. After his military obligations were completed, they moved back to Arkansas and settled in Springdale at the behest of a lifelong friend from Sheridan, Reid Holiman and his wife Jackie. He opened a dental office in 1962 next door to the Holiman drug store where he practiced for the first 10 years of his career. He joined two other dentists, Pat Singletary and Winfred Harris, for several years before branching off with a new partner Al Hanby where he practiced for the remainder of his career until retirement after over 35 years.
He was an avid golfer and passed on his love of the game to his son. Together, they played in many tournaments. “Arnie” as his friends called him, was the oldest and longest-standing member of the Springdale Country Club.
Arnold was a member of First United Methodist Church in Springdale, where he and Bette were very active for decades.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law, Jim Allen. Arnold is survived by his wife, Bette; daughter, Cathy McCay Rushing (Richard) of North Little Rock; son, Steven McCay Williams (Stacey) of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren, Spencer McCay Williams (Miao), Shelby Lynn Williams, Steven McCay Williams, II, Allison Smith, and Stewart James Smith; sister, Virginia Carol Allen; nephew Jim Allen Jr (Kelly); niece Alicia (Allen) Olivier (Tony); and countless cousins and friends.
Memorial services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 29, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Springdale. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762, or First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale, AR 72764. To leave a tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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