William David Nunn, age 90, 2 months and 19 days, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at his beloved home in Russellville.  He was born on October 1, 1930, in Illinois Bend, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister; and three wives.

He was a United States Army Korean War veteran, who proudly served his country.  He continued to salute his flag every day until his passing.  His war stories were numerous and never grew old as he loved to tell them.

As a teen, his first job was as a paperboy for the Oklahoma Times.  He received outstanding service awards for never missing a delivery.  Later, he became a painter at NASSCO in San Diego, California painting Navy ships, with 24 years of outstanding service and contribution.  He rediscovered painting/coloring in the artistic form in his final years, coloring beautiful works of art which we will always cherish.

He loved dancing, country music, fishing, playing bean bag baseball, bingo, watching college football and rooting for his Oklahoma Sooners.  He was an active member of Pope County Senior Center and Connect Church.  He showed all of us how to celebrate life even during these trying times with his 90th Birthday Wave Parade – a big thank you to Pastor Blaine and Connect Church for arranging that.

He was known by many in Russellville as Mr. Bill and The Russellville Rose Man, winning more awards and ribbons than we can count for his beautiful roses.  He also loved cooking and after perfecting a recipe for chili, which he called Nunn Better Chili, won 1st place in several chili cookoffs in Arkansas and California.

He is survived by his daughter, Jody Hudson of Henderson, Nevada; his son, Terry Nunn, of San Antonio, Texas; his step-son, Bob Harris, of Manteca, California, his sister, Wilda McNatt of Picayune, Mississippi; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.

He was a beloved father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by many.  He will always be remembered as a sweet, loving and kind man with a smile on his face and many stories to tell.

Open viewing will be Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A private graveside service for the family with military honors and with the Rev. Blaine Rogers officiating and in Pisgah Cemetery near Pottsville under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family would like to extend an enormous thank you to the Needham Family, John and Marie, their children and grandchildren for making our Dad feel special every single day.  Even in his final days, you arranged yard clean-ups, watered his roses, took care of his little Corky and made sure he had hot meals and banana pudding, which he loved.  You hung his Christmas lights while he was still in the hospital.  Imagine his joy when he got to come home to see them. You helped to make sure he was always surrounded by love and for that we are forever grateful.  Thank you also to the entire crew at Old South Restaurant and New China who gave our Dad tons of love and something to look forward to every weekend.  Lastly, thank you to the caregivers at Amcare Senior Life Partners, Arkansas Hospice and all the wonderful, caring neighbors and students who helped our Dad along the way with rides, meals and yard work; the Bite Squad drivers who patiently waited while he slowly walked to the door; the Instacart driver who always added flowers to his grocery delivery; and the numerous friends/family who sent cards, letters and pictures to him when his social life diminished due to the pandemic.  Your kindness never went unnoticed. We are eternally grateful.    – Jody Hudson, Daughter

Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.