William Earl "Bill" Harrell

William Earl “Bill” Harrell, age 71, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, passed away December 27, 2025. Bill was a devoted husband, Father, Grandfather, and hardworking iron worker whose life was defined by perseverance, generosity, and quiet strength.

Born to humble beginnings March 24, 1954, he learned early the value of hard work. He was taught the ironworking and welding trades by his Father and Uncles, carrying on a family legacy of skill, grit, and pride that shaped his entire life. He was a proud member of the Ironworkers Union Local 321. Spanning decades, he built a reputation as someone who could always be depended upon, unafraid of long hours, hard labor, or a late night call to cover another person’s shift. Qualified in multiple welding techniques, he was afforded many opportunities and adventures, including underwater welding of barges on the Arkansas River, the containment building of Arkansas Nuclear One, and just when we thought he was retired, a trip to Canada to teach robots how to weld.

Bill spent many years working in production manufacturing, eventually becoming a reliability specialist, a role he believed would carry him into retirement until the factory suddenly closed. He later worked as a welder and fabricator for Caterpillar, helping build motor graders in NLR, AR, where he remained until shoulder replacement forced him into retirement.

Providing for his family was always first. When steady work wasn't enough, he cut wood, sold scrap metal, cut trees, and did whatever honest work was necessary to make ends meet. He once climbed a radio tower to replace the navigation beacon for what then was a hefty sum of money; the funds he later used to provide a family vacation. He and his wife, Deborah, often worked opposite shifts while raising their three children, a challenge they faced together with determination and love. Bill and Deborah shared 46 years of marriage built on commitment, sacrifice, and family.

He enjoyed all things outdoors, including fishing and hunting. He was happiest sitting quietly in a deer stand or in the bottom of a duck blind, content to simply watch the woods come alive around him, often preferring observation to pulling the trigger. Dancing was a favorite pastime, for which he and his wife danced miles on the floor anywhere a decent band was playing. Fellow founders of “The Survivors”, he and Deborah joined a handful of other couples in the 1990s for multiday float trips of the Buffalo River.

True to his practical nature, Bill was always one to keep scrap metal or wood “just in case” it could be useful someday. He called it “being prepared” and giving old things a second life. For him, nothing was wasted if it could still serve a purpose.

Bill had an exceptionally big heart. He helped anyone in need—neighbors, friends, or complete strangers—without expecting recognition, compensation, or thanks. He gave quietly, because it was the right thing to do. He served as Cubmaster of Pack 518 in NLR, AR, in addition to numerous other roles in the Boy Scouts of America. As Cubmaster, he started an annual tradition of Christmas gift collection for what was then called the Battered Women Shelter in Little Rock. He and his wife enjoyed motorcycling as part of ABATE Arkansas, and supported Women on Wheels when he and his wife became the first of several couples to complete rides to each of the Arkansas state parks.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Deborah Harrell of Jacksonville; his children, Michael Harrell (Chelsea) of Conway, Daniel Harrell (Lauren) of Jacksonville, Jessica Carrington (Luke) of Yellville; and his grandchildren, Isabella, Hunter, Lily, and Lila. His legacy lives on through them and through the values he passed down: hard work, humility, resourcefulness, and kindness.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, with details to follow.