William A Larsen

William A. “Bill” Larsen died Friday, January 23, 2015, at Southridge Village home in Conway. Bill, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Larsen, was born in Little Rock on September 4, 1929. After graduation from Central High School, he attended Hendrix College but his studies were interrupted by a tour in the U.S. Army. After graduation from Hendrix he received an MA from the University of North Carolina. Later he did graduate work at the University of Texas. He taught one year at Oklahoma City University and subsequently at the University of Central Arkansas for the next 30 years until his retirement in 1994. Bill was a great fan of both the theatre and the movies. For many years he made an annual trek to New York to see the latest Broadway plays. After retirement, he traveled as much as possible to foreign countries but also to visit numerous cousins in Kansas and in South Dakota. He was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, a cross word enthusiast, and a clever jokester and limerick writer. Organization of all types were supported by Larsen, especially ones that aided veterans, political reformers, impoverished people and animal care givers. (He loved cats and had one or two until last year.) Bill was generous with his volunteer work for both the Faulkner County Historical Society and the Faulkner County Museum. He worked on major projects for each of them. Bill is survived by several cousins and many friends. He enjoyed life even with Alzheimer’s until just a few months ago. His sense of humor and gracious courtesy will be missed by many. A memorial service will be 10:00, Friday, January 30th at the Faulkner County Museum, 801 Locust Street/Courthouse Square, Conway, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to the UCA Foundation UCA Library at 201 Donaghey, Box 4986, Conway, AR 72035.