Claude Williams

Claude L. Williams (age 90), of North Little Rock, passed away at the VA hospital in Little Rock, AR.  He was born in Fourche Valley, Bluffton, AR.  The son of Claude Otto and Lois Irene (Hendershott) Williams.

He graduated from Fourche Valley High School and attended Arkansas Tech in Russellville, AR.  At the age 19, he joined the AR Army National Guard in 1949. After going into the regular army, he served during the Korean war.  He later joined the Army Reserves. He served 16 years in the military. He worked with his Uncle Buck and Aunt Ann Hendershott in home renovations in the early years after high school and some college and after serving active duty during the Korean War. He worked most of his life in the lumber and insulation businesses. He was a member of the Home Builders Association.  He worked sales at the Hendershott Insulation Company in Little Rock.  He was a partner in both Southern Insulation and Capitol Insulation in NLR as well as the owner of the Claude L. Williams Insulation Co.  He enjoyed working until March 2020 at Enterprise as a part time driver.

Claude was proud of his children, their friends, and parents who were actively involved in the school band program.  He served as president of the band parents association for two years and was a volunteer for many, many fundraising events.  He made and enjoyed many lifelong friends throughout his career.  He was known for his many stories and jokes.  It was said he always had a smile for everyone. He enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing and spending time with family and friends.  He especially enjoyed his breakfasts and lunches with business pals at Oasis, Fisher’s, and Belwood diner.

In 1956, he married his wife, Pat (Minnie Louise) Wilkes, who was originally from Fort Smith. She had just graduated Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. They were the first couple married in the new Baring Cross Baptist Church Chapel in NLR.  With his beautiful voice, he was music director at Runyan Baptist Church.  He enjoyed singing in the choir. As well as, hearing his own children’s choir at Baring Cross.  He was involved with his children’s high school band association, in both fundraising and serving as president.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Both his mother and father-in-law; Claude and Opal Wilkes.  His brothers’-in-law Bill (husband of sister, Grace) Holmes, as well as Bob (brother of his wife Pat and husband to Becky) Wilkes. His son-in-law James (Dick) (husband of daughter Pam) Hooper.Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 64 years, Pat (Minnie Louise) Williams of N. Little Rock. Their children Steven (wife Annetta) Williams of N. Little Rock, Cindy Lynn Evans of N. Little Rock, Pam Hooper of Little Rock. His sister, Ruby Grace Holmes of Steeleton, PA and her sons; Greg (wife Susan) Holmes…children Alexandra (husband Andy) Lichtenfels and their son Milo…and son Ben Holmes and Randy (wife Jane) Holmes and their daughter Shannon.  Also, his sister-in-law Becky Wilkes of Ft. Smith and children Mark, Kelly and Wendy and their families. Grand Children: Steve and Annetta’s children James (Luke) York, Michael (wife Amber) York, John (Danny) (wife Bridgette) York, Destiny (husband Shandy) Erisman.  Cindy’s son John Lynn, Jr.Pam’s daughter Melissa Hooper Great and great-great Grandchildren:  Steve and Annetta’s grandchildren Arabella (Bella) York, Adam York, Eva York, Mason Erisman, Penelope Erisman and Jackson Erisman. His only GR-Great grandchild Ember Erisman.

Interment with military honors will be at 1:00 PM, Monday March 22, 2021 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170 .