Ebissa Grainger Williams II "Bish"

Born on June 25, 1933 in Little Rock to Bill and Helon Williams, Bish was raised at Tall Timber Dairy until his parents passed away suddenly from consecutive illnesses. Bish and his sisters Brownie, Quendy, and June went to live with his Uncle Grainger and Aunt Francis Williams and their children Alfred and Ann.

During his teenage years, he attended Little Rock Central High School was involved in football and gymnastics, and was voted King of Hearts by the class of 1950. He entered the army and was honorably discharged after participating as a communication specialist in the Korean war.

Shortly after the war he met and married Virginia Ratliff in Hot Springs; their partnership lasted for over 50 years.

He was employed as Superintendent of Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department until he retired in the 70s. Both he and Virginia were active members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock.

While Bish was always building things or taking them apart, it wasn’t until 1991 that he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with distinction from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was very active in cycling, skiing, gardening, sculpting and iron work, and a multiple gold and silver medal winner in the senior Olympics.

Bish was preceded in passing by his wife, Virginia Ratliff Williams, his grandchild Jenna White, his sister Brownie Ledbetter, her husband Cal and son Jeff. He is survived by his siblings Quendrid Veatch (husband Ralph), June Williams, Alfred Williams (wife Elaine Eubank), Ann Frankland (husband Don), his children Helon Quiggins (husband Bill), Beth Williams, Bill Williams, his adopted daughter Inga Witcher, his grandchildren Sean, Robin, Shelby, Katie, Will, Ben, Sam, Caroline, his companion Caroline Stevenson, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and a nonbiological, redheaded, impish great grandchild named Waylon.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11:00 am at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be made to Unitarian Universalist Church and/or Alzheimer’s Arkansas.