William (Bill) Andrew Menard born to Dorman and Erlene Menard on March 13, 1940, in Batesville, Arkansas. He went to Glory on Dec. 2, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Georgia Menard Kling.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Brown Menard; two daughters, Andrea Cochran and Melissa Smith (Trey); one son, Andy Menard (Dawn); four granddaughters, Britt Johnson (Drew), Courtney Cochran, Caylee Cochran and Caroline Cochran; three grandsons, Sam Smith, Drew Menard (Makenzie) and Trent Menard; one great-grandson, Kyler Menard; and sister, Dorma Jane Menard Talburt.
Bill was All-District All-State in Football and Basketball, starting Quarterback in Arkansas All-Star Football, Honorable Mention All American Football, and inducted into the Batesville Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Bill completed his Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana on a full athletic scholarship. He coached for 13 years, receiving the Teacher of the Year in North Richland Hills, Texas.
Bill graduated from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas with a Master of Divinity Degree. In the years following graduation, he served as Pastor of Rehobeth Baptist Church in Moorefield, Arkansas; Youth Director at First Baptist Church of Batesville; Youth Director at First United Methodist Church of Batesville; and Youth Director at Baptist Church in Desha, Arkansas. Bill was a trained hospital Chaplain and a community volunteer.
Bill was a successful insurance agent receiving numerous sales awards. His hobbies were golf, tennis, and pool and he loved competing.
Our special thanks to the medical staff of Baptist Health and Arkansas Hospice for their compassionate care.
Bill leaves behind many dear friends whom he cherished. He had the opportunity to mentor and have a lasting influence on many people, especially young persons. With his passing, there will be a void that cannot be filled.
The family requests memorials are sent to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Batesville Chapter.
Pallbearers are Drew Menard, Trent Menard, Samuel Smith, Drew Johnson, Randy Talburt, John David Morgan, Roger Franks, and David Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Brown, Bryan Brown, Collins Brown, Bryson Brown, Todd Allen, Jeff Allen, John Hudson, James Robert Hudson, and Kevin Kling.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Trey Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
