William Henry Lightner Sr.

On Monday, July 14, 2025, William Henry Lightner, a true servant of the Lord, answered the voice of God and surrendered his spirit in the 88th season of his life. He was born on March 20, 1937 in Roland, Arkansas to the parentage of the late Herman Reddie Lightner and the former Clara Mae Johnson.

Bill, as he was affectionately known by family and friends, attended public schools in Roland and Little Rock, Arkansas. He was baptized at Spring Hill C.M.E. Church in Roland, Arkansas at an early age and faithfully attended both Spring Hill C.M.E. and the First Baptist Church in Roland, Arkansas until he entered the military.

Bill entered the U.S. Army in 1958 and served honorably for three years as a paratrooper. He returned to civilian life for a brief period before deciding to join the Air Force. He would remain with the Air Force, serving as an Aircraft Early Warning and Control Specialist and Air Traffic Controller. Bill received many awards and decorations during his military career; he retired after 25 years and 8 months as a Senior Master Sergeant on August 31, 1982. A lover of knowledge, Bill attended Community College while in the Air Force and studied for a year at Grambling State University, after retiring.

He married the former Rosetta A. Armour in 1975 while stationed in California where he was also maintaining a home and serving as a single-parent to his two teen-age sons. Upon his retirement and relocation to Macon, Georgia, he joined Union Baptist Church in 1989 where he was appointed as the first Trustee. He faithfully served as Adult Class Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee Ministry Chairman, Deacon, Finance Committee Chairman, and Political Action Committee Chairman.

Later on Bill became an income tax professional, working independently for several years and then affiliating with the H&R Block Co. where he served as a preparer, an auditor, and office manager. Bill accomplished many things in his lifetime, two of the most cherished being his relationship with the Lord and his beautiful Baby Rose. He was a lifelong member of the NAACP and served as local president. He was also a member of the Optimist Club and the Lions Club. He was an avid reader that would spend countless hours engaging in discussions and debates with whomever would take up the challenge. His love for golf enabled his travel to many beautiful courses throughout the U.S. as a member of the Bowden Senior Men's Golf Association.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by three brothers: Jimmy Lightner, Hal Roger Lightner and Edd Willis Lightner and four sisters: Linda Lightner, Clarice Lightner, Orellia Ann Withers and Joyce Jean Harris.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his spouse of over 50 years, (Colonel, USAF, Retired) Rosetta A. Armour-Lightner; three children: Sandra Robinson of Fontana, California, William H. Lightner, Jr. (Dansie) of Altoona, Pennsylvania and Anthony Lightner of California; three sisters: Donna K. Brewer of Little Rock, Arkansas, Flossie E. Hollingsworth (DeForest) of Peoria, Arizona and Marilyn N. Briggs of Tyler, Texas; three granddaughters: Paige Lightner of Altoona, Pennsylvania, LaShandra McGraw and A’Keia Robinson both of Fontana, California; Special Godchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Snow's at Macon Memorial Park has charge of arrangements.