William "Bill" Conway

William L. “Bill” Conway, 73, of North Little Rock passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2011. He was a retired Mail Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service with 34 years of service. Bill was a devoted Father and Grandfather. What he loved most in life were his children. He committed most of his free time while away from work to his two kids and grandkids. He coached his son in almost every sport and gave extra love and attention to his daughter who graduated from the Arkansas School for the Deaf. Bill volunteered at the deaf school teaching sign language classes for many years. For the last ten years he has practically raised one of his grandsons, spending most everyday helping with him. As a high school student in North Little Rock he lettered in three sports and was a star track athlete. He was an accomplished bluegrass musician and played the mandolin in a bluegrass band for over twenty years performing at bluegrass festivals all over the south. Bill loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He began snow skiing in the late 1970’s and was an active member in the Little Rock ski club where he volunteered as trip coordinator and led a number of groups on ski trips all over the world. He continued his love for travel up until recently when his health began to fail. Bill became interested in genealogy and spent years researching the Conway family name, even traveling to Ireland and Wales multiple times to visit the original birthplaces of distance kin. He was a walking history book of knowledge on all matters relating to the Conway’s ancestry. Bill will always be remembered for his love of life; for family and friends and for his wonderful sense of humor. In his last moments in the hospital he was surrounded by his family and was holding hands of his two adult children as he took his last breath. He will be missed tremendously by all who knew him. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Luke and Melanie Conway, of Maumelle; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Keith Gray, of Sherwood; brother, Jervis Conway, of Little Rock; two sisters, Ellie Martin and Nettie Vizzier, both of North Little Rock; four grandchildren, Zack, Pierce, Sydney and Jonathan and a special friend, Lanore Garrison. He was preceded in death by his parents, William D. and Julia Conway; brother, Paul Conway and sister, Claudia Conway. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 13984, Maumelle, Arkansas 72113. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday in the North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Michael Roberts officiating. Private burial will be held at Edgewood Memorial Park at a later date. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to service time Monday at the funeral home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

William "Bill" Conway

May 29, 1938 - July 6, 2011