Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

William Newton

William "Bill" Estes Newton, 70, born in Gurdon, Arkansas to Lloyd and Ella Mae Estes Newton, died May 1, 2002, at his home in Curtis.

He was survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Ann Thomas Newton, and five children.

His four sons and daughter-in-laws are Bill, Jr. and Mari Ben Newton of England, Ark., Christopher and Diane Newton of Little Rock, Timothy and Joy Newton of Curtis and Jason and Kim Newton of Nashville, Ark.; one daughter, Lori Newton Ballard of Vilonia; one brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Mary Ann Newton of Gurdon and one half sister, Anna Newton Foster of San Antonio, Texas; and one step-brother, Jack Toombs and his wife, Iris of Gurdon; and a brother-in-law, Ira Thomas, Jr. of Curtis and his wife, Sylvia; by nine grandchildren, Bill F. Newton and his wife, Raynetta of Lonoke, Robert Newton of San Diego, Calif., Kyle Newton of Magnolia, Brittany Newton of England, Ark., Ryan Webb and Amber Webb of Vilonia, Lauren Newton and Timothy Newton of Curtis and Caleb Newton of Nashville, Ark.; one great-grandchild, Korin Newton of Lonoke; a host of sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and friends mourn his passing as well.

He was retired from Reynolds Metals after working 30-plus years, and was currently employed with Burns Security at the Reynolds complex.

An avid sportsman, he was a Little League coach for 22 years winning the state championship in 1970 and played basketball and tennis for the Henderson Reddies and was ranked No. 2 in the state in tennis in 1952. He served five terms as Justice of the Peace for Clark County, was president and active member of the Clark County Fair Board and charter member and president of the Curtis Fire Department. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Christ.

Funeral services were 4 p.m. Friday, May 3, at the Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel with Rev. Bobby Cook and Bro. Donnie Lewis officiating. Interment was in the Harts Chapel.

The family requested memorials be made to the Curtis Fire Department.

Pallbearers will be Bill E. Newton, Robert Newton, Kyle Newton, Brittany Newton, Ryan Webb and Chad Thomas. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ira Thomas, Jr., Benny Francis, Bill Kirksey, Therol Stow, J.W. Couch, Dick Reedy, Dickie Haliday, Carroll Rogers, Joe Boulden, J.K. Davies, Rueben Fendley Eddie Webb, Ricky Arnold and Harold Keeton.