William "Bill" L. Lester of Ida, Arkansas, passed away in his home on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at the age of 62. Born on December 16, 1942 at Blytheville, Arkansas, he was the son of the late William and Azzelle (McGee) Lester. Bill was a U.S. Army veteran, a fifteen year employee of the Glove Corporation of Heber Springs, and retired from the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish, and Wildlife Service. He moved to Cleburne County in 1972 where he has continued to be a resident. Bill was a member of several organizations including the Greers Ferry Muzzle Loading Association, Mid-American Rendezvous Association, National Rifle Association, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, and Wilburn Creek Hunting Club. He was a Christian. His parents; one daughter, Lorrie Ann Lester; two sisters, Frances Ashby of Houston, MO, and T-Nell Samac of Eureka Springs, AR; and one brother, Jim Lester of Eureka Springs, AR, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Dale (Wetzel) Lester of Ida; one son, William T. Lester and wife, Barbara, of Heber Springs; two daughters, Kathy Phillips and husband, Carlin, and Jennifer Lester, all of Ida; five grandchildren, Nichole and Levi Lester of Heber Springs, and Ethan, Joe, and Katelynn Summers of Ida; three sisters, Bonnie Smith of Mt. Grove, MO, and Katy Merriman and Pat Stow of Berryville; one brother, Sam Lester of Quitman, and lifelong friend, Jim Koop of St. Louis, MO; Bill is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 25, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, at 10:00 a.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Pastor Odell Altom officiating. Interment will follow in the Miller Cemetery at Ida.