William Halton Cross, 90, of Lavaca, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Mercy Hospital. Bill was born on March 9, 1932 to Wilbur and Rosie (Jeffcoat) Cross in the Cornish Community off Hwy. 96, which later became Camp Chaffee. They lived briefly in Pocola, Oklahoma, where he gave his heart and life to the Lord in an old Baptist church. His family later settled in the Barling area. In 1944, Bill and his step dad drove to Gravette, Arkansas to tear down old chicken houses for the lumber to build the house his mom lived in until she was almost 95. He also delivered newspapers for Southwest Times Record on a bicycle from Barling to Massard Road starting at age 12.
Bill attended school at Lavaca until they were bused into Fort Smith. He graduated in 1949 from Fort Smith High School. After working at Dacon Mills, he was drafted into the Army, where he served honorably for two years in the Korean War.
Bill went to work for Fort Smith Public Schools in 1957 as a general laborer and retired after 34 years as a maintenance supervisor, a job he loved.
Bill was a member of Faith Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board, trustee, head usher, building and grounds committee, finance committee and Searchers Sunday School Class. In 2002 he moved back to a town he always held dear, Lavaca. There he joined First Baptist Church Lavaca, where he loved and cherished the many friends he made. He really loved his new church.
Bill is survived by his wife, Donna of the home; son, Terry Cross and wife, Kathy of Granby, MO; bonus children, Jerry McDonald and wife, Greta of Heavener, OK and Susan Grossman and husband, Jay of Lavaca and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melba and survived by her daughters, Mary Grogan, Susan Zick and Cathi Payton.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Monday, February 6 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Oak Valley Cemetery. His beloved pastor, Steven Smithson will officiate. Viewing will be Sunday from 2 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with family from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Jerry McDonald, Stephen McDonald, Jay Grossman, Donny Rogers, Ron Smith, Allen McKinney and Dane Douglas. Honorary pallbearers will be Donnie Green, Rick Wright, Harry Greene and Ech Moore.
Bill was a quiet and humble man who loved to work. When someone spoke of him, the word “good” always followed. He would be the first to say, “good people don’t go to Heaven, only forgiven people do”. He loved and served Jesus Christ, his Savior for over 80 years and now he is in His presence.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Baptist Church Lavaca Building Fund.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
