WILLIAM EDWARD ARNOLD
William Edward Arnold (Bill) was born June 28, 1928 in Sugartree Township, Carroll County, Missouri and departed this life on January 17, 2025 at his home in Peculiar, Missouri, surrounded by the love of his family, at the age of 96 years, 6 months and 20 days.
He is survived by son, William Edward Arnold, Jr. and wife Carla of Peculiar, MO; daughter, Sheree Leigh Etzenhouser and husband Bart of Peculiar, MO; grandchildren, William E. “Trey” Arnold, ɪɪɪ, of Peculiar, MO, Emily (Etzenhouser) Nelson and husband Brandon of Independence, MO, Zacary Arnold of Peculiar, MO, and Eric Etzenhouser of Peculiar, MO; great-granddaughters, Paetra Arnold, Charlotte Arnold and Hope Arnold, along with many other relatives and friends.
Bill was the son of Emil and Hester (England) Arnold. He spent his younger years in the Carrollton, Missouri area, graduating from Bogard High School in 1947.
On September 6, 1949, Bill was united in marriage with Beverly J. Cary in Carrollton, Missouri and to this union three children, William Edward Arnold, Jr., Sheree Leigh and Timothy Dean were born.
In addition to his wife, Beverly, of 67 years, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Hester Arnold; one son, Timothy Dean Arnold on October 29, 2024, and three siblings.
He set a wonderful example for his children, grandchildren, three precious great-granddaughters, and those around him by how he lived his life. He was a man who loved the Lord, and by his gentle teachings, led many to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He served as a deacon for several years at First Assembly of God of Independence where he was fondly known as “Daddy Bill”. In his later years while attending HIS Church he was lovingly known as “PaPa Bill”. We can only imagine the lives that have been touched by his wisdom and gentle spirit.
In his younger years, Bill worked at several companies such as Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Bendix and International Paper before accepting a position with the Amoco Refinery in Sugar Creek, Missouri. During much of this time, he also owned and operated his own business, Arnold Refrigeration. After several years, Amoco Oil transferred him to their Texas City, Texas refinery where he started as a machinist and, at the time of his retirement on September 30, 1988, had earned the position of shop foreman. He also owned two working farms in Texas, one in Plainview and the other in Hale County, which he owned until 2015. He also owned the Arnold family farm in rural Carroll County, Missouri. After his retirement, the Arnold family moved back to Independence, Missouri. He continued to work until his early 90’s and completed his working career as a maintenance engineer for Lester Construction Company.
Bill enjoyed duck and goose hunting, and later turkey hunting with his son, Bill, Jr. He greatly enjoyed riding ATVs in the mountains of Wyoming, South Dakota and especially Colorado with his family.
Services will be held at 12:00 Noon, Friday January 24, 2025 at HIS Church, 1210 N. Highway 7, Pleasant Hill, Missouri with Rev. Tim Casteel officiating. Casket Bearers will be Trey Arnold, Zac Arnold, Brandon Nelson, Eric Etzenhouser, Larry McFee and Steve Ramirez. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The Family will receive family & friends beginning at 11:00 A.M. until service time at 12:00 Noon at the church. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family suggests contributions for a memorial fund in Bill’s honor, care of HIS Church.
5 Messages
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are so glad that we had the opportunity to get to know William over the past three years.
Uncle Bill, that is what he was always known to me as. I remember the tall, quiet man that had a very strong but tender presence in my life. His wife Beverly, were like sisters instead of cousins, so the Trotter’s soent many afternoons at the Arnold household.
I’m so thankful for the many memories and how he loved God. He always showed that in the way he loved his family.
Heaven is truly rejoicing today …another saint has been welcomed home.
I have so many cherished memories as a child and an adult of Uncle Bill and Aunt Bev that would fill a book. They would come to visit and stay with us when we lived in McAllen and we would go to Mexico together. One of those trips became quite interesting, which I won’t share here, but it is a story I tell often. They slept in my son’s room, which was only a full size bed. I worried about that the next morning and Aunt Bev told me it was not a problem they liked being close to one another. ❤️
Most recently was after a milestone birthday and he called me to thank me for sending a card, asked about my family by name, and then began to reminisce our jaunts over to Mexico. In fact, when we ate at the restaurant and then ordered the dessert they set on fire, it was quite the entertainment. His mind was so sharp.
I feel so blessed and special that I got to have moments like these as an adult with them and the memories they gave to my children.
While Aunt Beverly has been gone a while, I still miss our phone calls and catching up. I can just imagine how glorious the reunion is they are having now. And while there is probably no need for catching up with things in heaven, I want to imagine he and my dad having some coffee and laughs around the dining room table again. It just makes me imagine how very real and precious heaven will be for us all.
I love you Uncle Bill. You etched a pretty big place in my heart.
Bill and Sheree, the baton has been passed and you carry their legacy well.
Bill and Carla, Sheree and Bart, God will bless you all greatly for caring for your parents so well.
I love you all.
I have many fond memories of my uncle Bill. He was actually my Mother’s Uncle, but he was Uncle Bill to me as well. Spending time at their home with my cousins when we were children was always so much fun. My cousin Bill, known as Sonny then, and I played all over the neighborhood when visiting.
As our family was in Ministry we moved quite a bit, but always tried to make family reunions when we could. As an adult I’ve been in ministry as well so I wasn’t always able to make those reunions. At those reunions Uncle Bill was always one of those who was always quietly helping to make sure things ran smoothly as did Aunt Bev. Uncle Bill was always soft spoken, but one to be heard and listened to.
It’s been many years since I’ve been around to see or visit with family, but always knew Uncle Bill was still there. Now, he’s been promoted to Glory along with his beloved Beverly.
As children we never think about the future holding those moments of the sadness and sorrow of losing family members to the specter of time and age, but it’s always there quietly waiting. We’re reminded of how precious life is and memories of life are especially through the loss of family members that were always there, but now gone.
It’s for times like these God has given us that “Blessed Hope” of seeing loved ones again.
Uncle Bill will be missed, but we have that “Blessed Hope” to comfort us till we see each other again.
Its so hard to have such a loss in your family even if we beleive we are ready. My thoughts and my prayers go out to all the family every day. May you find some peace in knowing that the Glorious Gates of Heaven were opened, as the Angels rejoiced in joy and Bill walked pain free right into our heavenly fathers arms. I pray dear lord to wrap your arms around this family and friends and give peace to them.
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