William Gary James, 85, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in a Fort Smith hospital. He was born January 28, 1939 in Barber, Arkansas to Clifton Bryan and Wright (Earp) James. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard, starting his service in Booneville at 17 years of age. During his 34 years of service, he attained the rank of Colonel. He served as the Commander of the Paris Unit and Commander of the 25th RAOC. He was a member of the inaugural Arkansas National Guard Hall of Fame and member of STARC Command. Gary also worked in the HVAC business, retiring from Three States Supply. He was a devoted husband to Carolyn, who preceded him in death. He attended Grace Community Church in Fort Smith.
He is survived by two sons, Bill James and wife, Azeen of Bethesda, Maryland and Cliff James and wife, Mindy of Greenwood; one step daughter-in-law, Greta Blythe of Fort Smith; six grandchildren, Meredith Bowers and husband, Nate, Brady James, Lily James, Ava James, Drew Simon and husband, Cody and Walt Blythe and two great grandchildren, Barrett and Charlie Simon. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Charles James and two sisters, Janet Trickett and Reese Ferguson.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Monday, June 3 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial with military honors at Pine Log Cemetery in Barber. Viewing will be Sunday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Brady James, Scott Synoground, John Lentz, John Ferguson, Mike Trickett and Jeff Dobbs. Honorary pallbearers will be Harwell Patton, Alva Fisher and Walt Blythe.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
