William Maguire, Jr.

William Edward Maguire, Jr., passed away peacefully in the late hours of Wednesday, the 16th of June, 2021, with his loving daughters by his side while listening to his favorite Nat King Cole music.

Born on the 6th of April, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to William E. and Mary (nee Clements), he was the youngest child of three and the only son.  His beloved older sisters, Mary and Helen, were so excited to have a little brother that they rarely put him down.

Bill grew up in North Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood, where he developed his lifelong love of watching the Phillies. Being raised in a devout Irish Catholic family, it was only natural that Bill proudly served as an altar boy for St. Helena Parish. When he wasn’t catching Phillies games at the Baker Bowl, Bill enjoyed playing stick ball, sandlot football, baseball, going to the movies, reading books, and chasing girls.

Bill graduated from Northeast Catholic High School for boys in 1941. Putting his college plans on hold to serve his Country, he enlisted in the United States Military as World War II had begun in Europe and Asia. At only 18 years of age, Bill was deployed to Northern Africa in the U.S. Military’s first step at fighting the Axis powers. Bill was a Private in Operation Torch, where the U.S. fought alongside the British to defeat German troops led by Erwin Rommel.  Later in the War, he would serve in Trinidad as a Sergeant. During his service in Trinidad, Bill wrote for his station camp’s newspaper, where he created a cartoon character named “Mickey Maguire,” that would go on to inspire his later nickname “Mickey” used by his loved ones. Trinidad always held a very special place in his heart.

Following his service overseas, Bill was sent to Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. It was there he met a beautiful former North Little Rock High School Homecoming Queen by the name of Patricia Ann Ryan on a blind date at Fair Park. They would later say, “We fell in love on the ferris wheel!” They were married six months later on December 29, 1945, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They were happily married for 62 years, until Pat’s death in 2007.

Bill and Pat moved back to Philadelphia so Bill could continue his education. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School with a degree in accounting and finance. After graduation, Bill went on to join the accounting division of Sharp & Dohme Corp. (later to become Merck & Co.) in Philadelphia.

In later years, Pat and Bill returned to North Little Rock so Pat could be near her family. Bill went to work for his brother-in-law at Reed Music Company, later Ford Music Company, where Bill developed an interest in the business of selling pianos and church organs.

After 12 years of marriage, the Maguires were blessed with the arrival of their first daughter, Nancy Catherine, and then 19 months later, their baby Martha Jane arrived. Bill was the ultimate “girl dad” and their family of four was complete! Shortly after Martha’s birth, Bill and Pat built their dream home on Pine Tree Loop in beautiful Lakewood. That beloved home remained in the family until Bill moved out at 95 years old, and over the years it hosted countless Christmases, Thanksgivings, Fourth of July barbecues, swimming competitions in the lap pool, just to name a few. It will always be “home” to the Maguire girls.

As they began raising their daughters, the Maguires joined Immaculate Conception parish. They were active in every aspect of the church and school. Many wonderful friendships were formed there.

After developing a love for the business at Reed Music Company, Bill felt his entrepreneurial spirit take hold and in 1973, he opened his very own Maguire Music Company in McCain Mall. After the success of his first store, Bill opened an additional store in Little Rock. Everyone in town knew Bill and Maguire Music Company. His customers came to purchase pianos and organs and stayed for conversations with Bill, who’s gregarious and genuine nature made him a perfect salesman.

After a long and successful career, Bill retired at the age of 70.  He spent his retirement swimming in his pool, staying up LATE watching his favorite television programs, reading the business and sports sections of multiple newspapers every morning with a hot cup of coffee, quickly completing crossword puzzles, and traveling with his beloved Pat.

Bill and Pat’s later years were blessed with the arrival of their grandchildren, first Stacey, followed by Brodie and then, Claire. Bill and Pat lived to see their grandchildren smile and would sit through any event cheering the entire time, even if their grandchild was not on the winning team. Stacey, Brodie, and Claire could do no wrong in their eyes! The Maguire grandchildren are blessed with the most wonderful memories of their “Gramps”, from late night phone calls that Gramps answered no matter what the time, sleepovers that always included bedtime stories, watching movies ALL night long, to fashion shows and dance routines in the living room, Christmas Eve scavenger hunts and clay competitions, 4th of July fireworks, Halloween trick-or-treating, Florida trips, to endless pool parties. Everything was a big deal if Gramps was involved!

In 2015, Bill was beyond thrilled at the arrival of his first great-grandchild, Sadie Catherine Hall. He couldn’t wait to get to the hospital and hold that precious baby girl and he loved seeing Stacey become a mother. Bill became doubly blessed in 2017 with the arrival of his second great-grandchild, Henry James Hall. It gave Bill such joy everytime Stacey would walk through the door with her kids and he was so proud to be “Gramps” to a new generation.

Bill instilled a love for all of God’s creatures in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He filled their lives with an assortment of pets, including cats, dogs, bunnies, baby chicks, and even a raccoon. Daddy’s beloved 19 year old poodle, Midge, died three weeks before he did. Now, they are reunited!

In later years, Bill and Pat joined the Cathedral of St. Andrew. They were both very active and happy at St. Andrews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, and his wife Patricia Ryan Maguire. He is survived by his daughters, Nancy (Jonathan) Stark of North Little Rock and Marty (Bill) Armstrong of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Stacey (Adam) Hall of Little Rock, Brodie (Jessie Zhao) Armstrong of Houston and Claire (Sebastian Swain) Armstrong of Houston; great-grandchildren, Sadie and Henry Hall of Little Rock; niece, Mary Jane Calhoun (John) of Little Rock; and a host of nieces and nephews in Philadelphia.

Our father was hardworking, honest, faithful, generous, kind, loving and funny. Our hearts are broken, but we are comforted to know he is in heaven with the love of his life.

Special thanks to Bill’s nurses Julianna Hurley and Cathyann Jones for their loving care of our daddy. His face lit up when he saw them. Their support and friendship were life altering. They are truly our family and God’s angels on Earth. We also thank Connie, Brittany and Baptist Hospice for their care and comfort during three very hard and difficult nights.

A private family burial will be held at a later date. Any donations can be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society or the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock .

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