James Lewis

James "Jim" Lewis, 91, of Magnolia, AR, departed this life on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Jim was born on August 16, 1934 just outside Boston, MA. Upon graduating high school, he joined the US Marine Corps. After the Korean conflict, Jim retired from the USMC and joined the US Army. This was the beginning of a 26-year active-duty career in which he achieved the rank of Sergeant Major, E-9; the highest noncommissioned officer rank. He saw considerable action in Vietnam. He was a Green Beret, member of the 1st Special Forces Group, Airborne. He looked forward to attending the group's annual reunion every year. It was a time of visiting with the guys he served and remembering their fallen companions.
Sergeant Major Retired Lewis was awarded many medals, badges, and citations during his career. To name a few; 3- Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Vietnam, Thai, and Danish Jump Wings.
One of his last assignments before retirement was at the ROTC program at SAU where he met his wife of 42 years, Wilma Hunt McWilliams. He was a great provider for his wife and stepchildren. Perhaps one of Jim's greatest joys was being Poppy to his grandbabies, as he referred to them. He loved to build things with them, play school, let them fix his hair and make-up; swim with them (even though he was not a very good swimmer). He was up for almost anything when it came to the grandbabies.
Jim was the 2nd fire chief for the Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department. He was glad to serve and used his military discipline, attention to details, and methodical operating procedures to do the best job he could. He worked tirelessly for any opportunity for grants, equipment upgrades, and any other way to better the department.
Jim is preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Carl and Jean Elaine Johnson of Norco, California; sisters, Barbara Cervera, Peggy Fodor, and Marie Littlejohn, all of California; his father and mother-in-law, Osler and Olive Hunt, his favorite brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Norma Hayes, and his best buddy, Eugene Boone. He and Boone headed up the coffee group at Jay Dyson's shop almost every morning where they would solve the world's problems.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Wilma Hunt Lewis; stepchildren Terry McWilliams of Magnolia; Tommy McWilliams (Nicole) of Magnolia; Janet Green of Bryant, AR. Grandchildren Lauren Jenkins (Trey) of Hot Springs, AR; Lindsey McWilliams of Magnolia; Chase Green of Bryant, AR; Elise DeLoach (Connor) of Little Rock, AR; Harrison McWilliams of Fayetteville, AR.; great grandchildren Braxton McWilliams, John Fletcher Jenkins, Tripp Jenkins, and Hunter Kate Jenkins, Kennedy Price and Wilder Green; brother and sister-in-law Jerrel and Marilyn Hunt, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jim's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Enhabit Hospice and especially his caregivers, Jackie Monk and Wanda Moreland for the love, care and comfort given to our family.
A Military Funeral Honors service will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 pm with the service following at 2:00pm with Bro. Joe Owens officiating under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department, Macedonia Baptist Church, or the Gary Sinse Foundation for veterans.