William J. Gauthier

William J. Gauthier, Sr., of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, had his final tee time with the Lord on March 22, 2026. Bill was born October 14, 1940, in Central Falls, R.I., to Roland and Julia Gauthier. He is survived by his loving wife Linda; sons: Kevin, William, Jr., and Michael Gauthier, from Kirkland, Washington; daughter: Sandra, from Dallas, Texas. He also leaves behind granddaughters: Victoria, Theresa, and Natalie; grandsons: Alex, Henry, and Andrew; step-grandchildren: Jessica (Jonathan) Gray, Caitlin (David) Peterson, Sydney (Nicholas) Brooks, Devyn Grimes, and Cameron Shell; as well as step-great-grandchildren: Ily Jolene, Oliver N., and Carter Brooks. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a step-great-grandson, Dalton Grimes.

Bill graduated from Saint Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, in 1958. Following graduation, Bill enlisted in the USAF, where he earned a fellowship from the Air Force Institute of Technology for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management. He was then promoted from Technical Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, where he served as base procurement officer in Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington. He then earned another fellowship to Sacramento State University, where he earned his MBA. He then served as Financial Analyst on the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Bedford, Massachusetts. His final assignment was serving as Business Manager on the Combat Grande Program, which installed radar and microwave sites for the Spanish Air Force in Madrid, Spain, where he retired as Captain (USAF).

Following retirement from the USAF, he was the Finance Manager for the Tacoma Boat Building Company for four years. He was then recruited as Chief Estimator for Boeing Military, top secret programs, in Seattle, Washington. His last assignment was Business Manager for Boeing Middle East Ltd., Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Bill retired and resumed his passion for golf at San Roque Golf Club in Southern Spain. He was captain of the golf team and played in several tournaments throughout Spain and Portugal. His proudest moment was winning a Pro Am tournament with Seve Ballesteros. He then moved to Arizona, where he became a Certified Golf Teaching Professional.

After meeting the love of his life, Linda Bailey Gauthier, they married and moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

A graveside service to honor Bill's life will be held on Thursday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m., at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Smith Benton Funeral Home.