Biography:

Ann Feinstein Williams departed this world at age 90 on August 2^nd after a brief illness. Ann was known throughout Arkansas as the outspoken owner of Feinstein’s California Apparel. She inherited the store from her parents, Nancy and Howard Feinstein, when they died in 1969. The store was a Heights landmark for over 63 years.

Ann’s mother was the daughter of Preston Pfeifer, the co-owner of Pfeifer’s Department Store where her father had been employed as Merchandise Manager. Preston Pfeifer created Pfeifer Camp for underprivileged children in honor of his father, Joseph Pfeifer, who settled in Little Rock shortly before the Civil War.

After graduating from Gulfpark by the Sea, a finishing school for young women, Ann attended the University of Texas where she met her husband Richard A. (Dick) Williams. They married July 31^st, 1955 and Dick enrolled in the University of Texas Law school the following month. They spent the first three years after his graduation in Washington, DC.

They moved to Little Rock in January of 1961. After her parents died within five weeks of each other in 1969, Ann inherited Feinstein’s. She tried to sell it but received no reasonable offer. Dick suggested that she might
try to run the store briefly and continue her efforts to sell it. They had four young children at the time. Despite never having previously been involved in the operation of the store, Ann immediately discovered that she truly loved it. Within a few years, it became quite successful. Her reputation for giving customers of her frank and honest opinion played a major role in the success of the business. Despite being offered many honors for her personal achievement as a female fashion entrepreneur, she resolutely declined all of them.

Feinstein’s achieved nationwide attention in 1992 when it was featured in an episode of the television show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Ann had arranged for a trunk show of ball gowns in anticipation of the election of Bill Clinton as President of the United States and had purchased a
large newspaper advertisement for the show for the day after the election. As a result of the television program, Ann was interviewed on national television by CBS at the Arkansas Ball on the night of the Clinton inauguration.


Family was the cornerstone of Ann’s life. Her four children, Mark, Bob, Jill, and Lawrence were always her priority, and she was beloved by them. Ann and Dick assumed a larger role in the lives of their grandchildren
than most grandparents. As just one example, they took their first grandchild Ryan, at only 9 months to San Diego for several days without his parents. As more grandchildren came along, there were many more trips and happy memories with each of them.

Ann also inherited from her parents a love of gambling, whether it be playing blackjack in a casino or betting on a football game that she watched avidly on TV. Fortunately for her family, she preferred betting the minimum allowed. Just 3 weeks ago, in honor of her 90^th birthday, she was happily able to make one last trip to Las Vegas thanks to the kindness of Karla and Larry Back.

She was survived by her husband of 70 years, Richard A. Williams, her children, Mark Williams (Marsha), Robert P “Bob” Williams (Judith), Jill Ricciardone, and Lawrence Williams (Brittny McCarthy). Grandchildren include Ryan Williams (Kirsten), Susan Williams, Drew Ricciardone (Anne), Annie Barnett (Wyatt), Andrew Manning (Niky) and Liv Williams. Ann’s family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the
extraordinary medical care provided by Dr. Diane Wilder and Arkansas Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at Temple B’nai Israel on Tuesday, August 5^th at 1:30 pm. Memorials may be made to Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, 5512 Ferndale Cutoff, LR, AR  72223 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com