Biography: William L. “Bill” Cravens passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023 at home. He was born May 26, 1934 in Paris, Arkansas and raised by his loving family including his parents, Vada and Wyatt L. “Speedy” Cravens, sister Sally A. Cravens and special grandmother, Mamaw. Mamaw was quoted as saying “In God’s eyes you are no better than anyone else, but neither is anyone else better than you.” That is how Bill lived his life, both humble and grateful, and confident and successful.

Bill enjoyed playing sports at Paris High School and was voted Mr. PHS in 1952. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with his B.S. in Industrial Engineering. While at the University he served as President of Blue Key and Theta Tau engineering fraternity and was a Sigma Nu. But the highlight of college was meeting the love of his life, Mary Lou Morris. They married in June of 1956 and celebrated 67 years of a wonderful marriage. They supported and loved each other. With their many friends, they enjoyed traveling, cheering on the Razorbacks, hanging out at Eden Isle on Greers Ferry Lake and Oaklawn.

His early career was with General Electric assigned to Louisville, Kentucky, Chicago, Illinois, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and later Jonesboro, Arkansas. They returned to Little Rock in 1962 with three little girls. He went to work at Russell Brown and Company, C.P.A.s and became the managing partner. Bill went to work for First National Bank in 1976 where he became President and CEO. In 1984 he joined Worthen Banking Corporation as Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. After suffering a heart attack in 1987, Bill left banking. He practiced individually as a Certified Public Accountant starting in 1987. Bill joined Alltel Information Services, Inc in 1994 as Chairman. In 1997 he helped form Pinnacle Bank and served as Chairman. The bank was sold to Bancorp South in 2002 and he continued as a director until 2005. He recently retired from the Board of Directors and Treasurer at Oaklawn Jockey Club, serving since 1976. As Louis Cella noted, Bill was a trusted advisor to the Cella Family and served as a steady influence on the organization.  In the past year many have shared with him how he was a mentor and inspiration to them and their careers.

Bill served his community in many ways. He served as Chairman of the following organizations: Fifty for the Future, Little Rock Port Authority, Arkansas Art Center, Arkansas Cancer Research Center at UAMS, Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, United Way of Pulaski County, Elizabeth Mitchell Children’s Center, City Education Trust, and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. He was a board member of the University of Ozarks, Industrial Advisory Council at the UA College of Engineering, UA Alumni Board, Metro Center Improvement District Commission, Downtown Partnership, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Orchestra Society, Quapaw Quarter Association, Boys Club, Baptist Health Foundation, New Futures for Little Rock Youth, Retinal Research, Inc., P.A.R.K., Public Education Foundation, Board of Advisors of the University of Arkansas, the Reynolds Institute of Aging at UAMS and the Country Club of Little Rock. He served as treasurer of the Billy Graham Crusade in 1989.  

Bill received many awards including the 1988 Heart Ball Honoree, the 1991 Pinnacle Award given by the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the 1992 Volunteer of the year from the Southern Industrial Development Council, State of Arkansas and was inducted into the 2006 University of Arkansas College of Engineering Hall of Fame and in 2013 was inducted to the University of Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

But first and foremost, Bill loved and took great pride in his family. He and Mary Lou traveled all over the United States with their girls, picking out a different place each year. With his girls and their families, they enjoyed many summer trips to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. He enjoyed spending time with his sister Sally after she moved back to Arkansas four years ago. He leaves behind his wife, Mary Lou, his three daughters Cathy Crass and her husband Kevin, and their sons Will and Ted; Cary Wilson and her husband Page, their children Ian and Mimi: and Lyn Wagner and her husband Eric Doucette, and her sons Rex and Roddy; and his sister Sally Cravens.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful medical and loving care Bill received from UAMS, especially Dr. Jeanne Wei, Arkansas Hospice and Shawnda Washington and her care team.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 2:00p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church with a reception following the service. He had been an active member of Second Presbyterian Church since 1962, serving as a Deacon, including Chair of the Diaconate, an Elder, Sunday School teacher, President of Presbyterian Village, and a past board member of Presbyterian Urban Council.

Memorials may be made to the William L. Cravens Academic Enrichment Fund in Industrial Engineering, 4183 Bell Engineering Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, UAMS Foundation Fund, Institutional Advancement, 4301 West Markham Street, #716 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227 or Arkansas Hospice Foundation 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com