Billy Len Arnold

Billy Len Arnold died peacefully at his home in Grand Prairie on November 27, 2023, at 97 years old. He was a Godly man that loved people, especially his family, and was a lifelong servant to his community.

Bill was born in the small farming community of Peerless in Hopkins County, Texas on August 17, 1926. As the middle child among a brother and 3 sisters, the siblings were known around Peerless as the “friendly five”. He was raised by his mother, Bessie, beloved grandparents John and Agnes Evans and uncles Marvin, Bascom and Sam Evans.

Bill first attended a small community school in Peerless. When several area communities consolidated to form North Hopkins School, Bill became a member of the first graduating class in 1944. He drove a school bus route as a high school senior.

After high school Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Within months he was aboard the light cruiser U.S.S. Columbia serving in the South Pacific during the late stages of WWII.

After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he attended East Texas State Teachers College (now Texas A&M-Commerce). He was able to attend college largely due to the G.I. Bill. It was there he met the love of his life, Laura Kathryn Riggs. They married in 1951… a union that would last for 72 years until his death.

Upon his graduation from East Texas State, Bill became the first member of his family to receive a college degree. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education.

Bill and Laura began their teaching careers in Tyler, Texas before moving to Grand Prairie in 1954. After several years as a teacher, Bill was promoted to elementary school principal and later to junior high principal. In 1968 he joined GPISD central administration as Assistant Superintendent for Business Administration. He continued as a GPISD administrator until his retirement as Deputy Superintendent in 1986. He was active in professional associations during his career including a term as president of the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO.)

Upon retirement from the school district, Bill was elected as State Representative for District 106. He served in the Texas House for 3 terms from 1987-1993. During his time in Austin, he served on multiple committees and was able to successfully get passed numerous legislative bills which he had authored or co-authored.

Bill was extremely active in the Grand Prairie community. He was a member of the Optimist Club and later the Grand Prairie Rotary Club. For his term as Rotary president he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a past president of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce (as well as Citizen of the Year honoree) and was active on the YMCA board and Boy Scouts of America fundraising drives.

Bill and Laura joined First Baptist Church Grand Prairie soon after moving to town where he remained a faithful member until his death. He served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher and on pastoral search committees. In recognition of his service to the district, the GPISD opened Bill Arnold Middle School in 2002. The school continues to educate today under the name Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Arnold.

Bill Arnold was preceded in death by his mother, Bessie Hope Evans Arnold; his brother, Jeff D. Arnold; and sisters, Lasca Champ Hahn and Mary Jo Williams.

He is survived by his sister, Hellen Lock of Willow Park, TX; his wife, Laura Riggs Arnold; son, Bryan Arnold and wife, Lori England Arnold of Grand Prairie; son, Brent Arnold and wife, Sally Smith Arnold of Coleman, TX; grandson, Clint Arnold and wife, Kelsie Korenek Arnold and their children, Elizabeth and Harrison of Fort Worth; granddaughter, Kathryn Janice Arnold Woodruff and husband, Hunt Woodruff and their children, Jack, Charlie, Maggie and Will of Fort Worth; grandson, Walt Arnold; granddaughters, Ginny Arnold and Tessa Arnold all of Coleman, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Grand Prairie at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers are Clint Arnold, Hunt Woodruff, Walt Arnold, Glen Hahn, James Ward, John Lock, Danny Evans, Jerry Hahn and Jimmy Evans.