The 7th child, and eldest son of share cropping cotton farmers, William Gary “Bill” Daniel, was born July 3rd, 1947 to William Henry and Elnora Brantley Daniel, he passed peacefully from this life on September 17, 2024. Born in Manila, Arkansas, Bill was an uncle by the time he was 2 years old. When he was big enough, he pulled his younger siblings on his cotton sack through the Mississippi River Delta, while helping his parents pick cotton.

In the early 1960s, the Daniel family moved to Pocahontas, Arkansas where Bill finished high school and would reside for the rest of his life. Enlisting in the United States Army in 1966, Bill traveled the world during the Vietnam Era as part of the Seventh Army Signal Corps. He was stationed in Paris, France and Bremerhaven Germany. After discharging from the Army in the early 1968, Bill moved to Collierville, Tennessee for work. However, Labor Day weekend 1971 Bill met the love of his life, Brenda Jean Cherry in Pocahontas. They were married May 27th, 1972 at a simple ceremony at the Cherry home. Of this union was born one daughter, Jamie Lea. Instrumental in the lives of their many nieces and nephews, Bill and Brenda built a life of love and happiness in their little home on Hickory Street. In 1970, Bill began his career at Pocahontas Water Works.

A faithful civil-servant, he served with a number of boards across Randolph County and the State of Arkansas, including the City of Pocahontas Volunteer Fire Department, Arkansas Water & Waste Water Environmental Association, and the Arkansas Water & Waste Water Managers Associations. With a career spanning almost 5 decades, Bill was awarded the 2010 Manager of the year from the Northeast District of the AWW & WEA, the 2011 AWW & WEA Water Works Manager of the Year award, and the 1995 AWW & WEA Water Works Outstanding Achievement for Utilities Serving more than 5,000 Population, and the 2018 AWW & WEA award for Courageous Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. He was also instrumental in building the City of Pocahontas’ current water treatment facility. After his retirement in 2018, and the loss of his beloved wife in 2020, Bill began a new chapter, working with the Randolph County Election Commission, and volunteering for various local organizations as Santa. Proceeded in death by the love of his life, Brenda Daniel, his parents, William Henry & Elnora Daniel, one brother, Edward Wayne Daniel, and seven sisters, Freda Miller, Ouida Kinsey, Betty Riggs, Lois Blake, Carolyn Sue Daniel-Roll, Margaret Daniel and Joyce Daniel.

Left to carry on his legacy is his daughter, Jamie, of Pocahontas. Forever known as Uncle Bill, he leaves behind over 90 nieces and nephews, numerous friends and colleagues, and his faithful companion, Molly Jean. Honored to serve as pallbearers are his colleagues and friends: John Wicker, Bruce Brodell, Robert Murray, Joseph Jansen, Tim Carey and Cody Lindsey Honorary pallbearers include his cherished friends: John Jackson, Don Cox, and Bob Olvey The family will receive guests from 12-2, Friday, September 20, 2024 in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place at 2pm with Logan Welch presiding, and April Duff providing the music. Burial will follow in Nelson Cemetery at Reyno.