Charles William "Mickey" Abrams III, 89 years, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully in his home on March 5, 2010. He was born in Gurdon, AR, September 28, 1920 to the late Sybil Nash Abrams and Charles William Abrams, II of Little Rock.

He was the eldest of three siblings. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Robbie Stewart Abrams; children, Charles William "Chuck" Abrams, IV and wife, Susan Abrams of Denver, CO and Crystal Abrams Owens and husband Donald W. Owens, MD of Houston, TX; four grandchildren, Charles William Abrams, V, Sarah Ashley Abrams, Jordan Stewart Owens and Leigh Abrams Owens; sister Sybil Smith and her husband, Julian, and brother Nash Abrams and his wife Marilyn and many loving nieces and nephews.

During World War II he proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Chief Gunners Mate, including three years at sea. He put two ships in commission; the LST 458 and LST 822, and holds numerous decorations including Asiatic/Pacific Theater with seven battle stars.
After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Little Rock and was employed as accountant for W. W. Findley. He then joined the sales force of Frank Lyon Distributing Company and held various positions for 37 years as salesman, Sales Manager, and for 20 of those years, as President. The salesmen affectionately referred to him as "The Bear". He retired in 1986.

Frank Lyon Co. was recognized nationally as one of the most successful wholesale distributors in the country and was singled out for recognition by Whirlpool Corporation for the "Best in the U.S." award some 19 times and by RCA's "MESA Award". The company operated from Little Rock through branches in six states. Abrams, also, served several subsidiaries and associated companies, as Chairman of the Board, Clark County Bank and Board Member of Frank Lyon Holding Company and the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Arkansas.

After retiring, Mickey and Robbie spent many years enjoying time spent in Frisco, Colorado and Florida, hunting and fishing in Arkansas and visiting and traveling with family.

He was a member of the national Advisory Council of Whirlpool Corp. and Distribution Advisory Council for RCA Corporation of America. He was a devoted member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and served in numerous leadership positions throughout his life. He served on the boards of the Florence Crittenton Home, American Red Cross, Metropolitan YMCA, Arkansas Arts Center and United Way of Pulaski County.
To honor his mother, a published poet, Mickey, along with his siblings, established and funded the Sybil Nash Abrams Award which has been presented annually since 1969. Poems submitted for the competition must feature an Arkansas theme and the winner is announced by the Poets Roundtable of Arkansas at their Poetry Day celebration

He was a member of Pleasant Valley Country Club. He was a member of three outstanding hunting and fishing clubs; Crockett's Bluff, Cooper Lake and Circle S. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and especially fishing with his loving wife Robbie.

He will be remembered by family and friends for his values; the joy of living, giving and loving, patriotism and love of country, compassion for people, and faith in the Supreme Being.

A special thank you to loving caregivers: Mary Hurley, Pia Thomas, Kari Kendward, April Mendenhall, Chaley Carter, Kara Bazzelle, Lily Andrews, Crystal Lusader, and James Hogan.
Burial will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park at 11:30 AM on Friday, March 12, 2010, followed by a memorial service at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Road, Little Rock, AR At 1:00 PM, with a reception afterwards in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Road, Little Rock, AR 72207 or to the Poet's Round Table; checks may be made payable to Charles Schwab for Poet's Round Table and mailed to LIMC, 10 Corporate Hill Drive, Suite 225, Little Rock, AR 72205-4561. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com