William Randall “Randy” Malone, age 66, died October 5, 2018 at his home, surrounded by family, after a courageous fourteen-month battle with brain cancer. He was born in Merced, California, March 8, 1952 to Bill & Loula Malone, but considered Fort Smith his life-long home. He was preceded in death by his mother, Loula Margaret; father, Coach Bill; brother, Pat; and son, William Randall, Jr.
As a young boy, Randy followed his father in the field of boxing. He began boxing in 1963 at the age of eleven at the Fort Smith Boy's Club. He was a member of the Special Weight Golden Gloves Team Champions. He was also honored with "Boy of the Year" award from the Fort Smith Boy's Club in 1961.
Randy graduated from Southside High School (1970) and the State College of Arkansas (University of Central Arkansas) in 1975. While in college, he was a member of the fraternity Phi Sigma Epsilon.
He began a career with the Arkansas Department of Health as a registered sanitarian from 1975-1986. In 1980, he was awarded a certificate of merit given for outstanding work and endeavors in the field of environmental health. He served as president of the Arkansas Society of Professional Sanitarians (1983).
In 1986, he joined Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a Group Marketing Representative. In 1989, he completed the Certified Health Consultant Program at Purdue University, thereby receiving certification as a health consultant.
In 1995, he joined Brown Hiller & Clark (BHC) Insurance agency as an Employee Benefits Consultant in Fort Smith. He worked with BHC Insurance until he became ill with cancer. Randy was considered the consummate professional insurance agent. He always managed to achieve the best interest for his clients assisting them in the implementation and management of their Employee Benefits program. His relationship with his clients was so strong that he had virtually 100% retention during his career.
Another milestone in Randy’s life was his love for football. He was a high school football referee official for thirty-five years with twenty-nine years as head referee. He was a member of the Arkansas Officials Association and Western Arkansas/Eastern Oklahoma & Fort Smith Football Officials Associations. He officiated approximately 600 high school football games. He was called upon to officiate numerous semifinal and quarter final playoff games, a High School All Star game, and two State Championship games. His official’s crew became one of the highest-rated in District 4 and the state of Arkansas. Randy, known for his quick wit and integrity, mentored numerous high school football officials during their officiating careers.
Other community involvement included memberships in the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, Fort Smith Boys Club Alumni Association, Executive officer of Western Arkansas/Eastern Oklahoma Football Association, Kiwanis Club, Church League baseball coach, and Cub Scout Master/Weblos Den Leader/Cub Scout Den Leader.
Randy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nancy; daughter, Amy Lynch and husband Robb of Columbia, Missouri; son, John of Dallas, Texas; and daughter, Rachael McNea and husband Blair of Boulder, Colorado; grandchildren include Brandon and Mackenzie Lynch, Grant and Lucia McNea; brother, Tommy Malone of Fort Smith, AR.
A Celebration of Randy’s life will be held at Goddard United Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 9th at 1 p.m. with burial to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith, AR. The family will visit with friends on Monday, October 8th, from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be George Catsavis, Ricky Beauchamp, Sr., John Johnson, Sam Hiller, Ron Fulbright, and Ernie Swearingen. Honorary pallbearers will be high school football referee officials David Schneider, Mike Croslin, Steve Crouse, Bryant Lipscomb, Rick Deramus, and Jack Bruick.
One attribute of Randy that most friends will remember was his wit and ability to tell stories from his past experiences in life. He loved to talk and make people laugh. He could bring conversation to a stranger using his wit and a new friendship would emerge. He could walk into a room of colleagues and bring a smile to their faces as he used his wit and laughter. We will miss him and his special traits using laughter with his personal life’s stories.
Memorials may be made to either the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, 4905 North O Street, Fort Smith, AR 72904 or Glioblastoma Foundation, P. O. Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715 or online @ https://glioblastomafoundation.org
