Bill R. Philpot

Bill R. Philpot, age 78, of Mena, passed away October 28th at the Arkansas Hospice in St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs from injuries suffered from a stroke. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Oma Philpot of Mena, and his sisters Mary Ellen Wimberly of Mena and Judy Witherspoon of Hobbs, New Mexico. Bill is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Betty Philpot, also of Mena, one son, Buddy Philpot and his wife Jamie of Springdale, three grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah and Matthew Philpot of Springdale and two brothers, Fred Philpot of Hobbs, New Mexico and John Philpot of Little Rock. Bill is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Bill was a graduate of Mena High School and the University of Arkansas, and was an avid Bearcat and Razorback fan. After returning to Mena following his military service in the Army, Bill worked in the family business, Philpot Motor Company before beginning a successful career in banking. He started as a vault teller at the Union Bank of Mena in 1961 and quickly worked his way up to Vice-President and Loan Officer. In 1974 he accepted the position of President and CEO of the Pike County Bank in Murfreesboro and from there became President and CEO of the Bank of Waldron in 1978. In 1993 Bill returned to his hometown of Mena and to the bank where he started his banking career as President and CEO of the Union Bank of Mena, a position from which he retired in 1998. Bill was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church in Mena and was a 32nd Degree Mason. There will be a family visitation at Beasley Wood Funeral Home on October 29th from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Mena in October 30th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a military graveside service at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena. Memorial donations in Bill's honor can be made to the First Baptist Church of Mena, 9th Street Ministries, where Bill regularly volunteered when he was able (306 9th Street, Mena, Arkansas 71953); the Rich Mountain Community College/Polk County Single Parent Scholarship Fund (P.O.Box 1585, Mena, Arkansas, 71953); or to Arkansas Hospice Foundation (14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116). Pallbearers will be Matthew Philpot, Randolph Emerson, Harold Coogan, Bill Abernathy, P.T. Plunkett and Gary Newcomb. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Plunkett, Dean Nail, Earl Harvey, Paul Smith, Ed Stevenson, Stokes Herod and Leroy Thomas. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena Online condolences can be made at http://www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com/