William "Bill" Arrington

William Berry Arrington

Matthews, GA  –         William “Bill” Berry Arrington, 90, loving husband of 62 years to Bernice Prescott Arrington, entered into his eternal rest Monday morning, February 4, 2019.  Services to celebrate his life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 P.M Saturday afternoon, February 9, 2019 with Rev. Robert Daughtry officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the services.

A lifelong resident of the Keysville-Matthews area, Bill was one of five born to the late Clara Kendrick Arrington and the late Obed W. Arrington. Growing up during the Great Depression, he worked hard and was very frugal.  After graduating from Blythe High School, Bill joined the Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War.  As a young man, he accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation and dedicated his life to serving Him in the ministry. He helped to establish and build the Wrens Nazarene Church as well as Crossroad Evangelistic Church, the last church he led. At the age of 28, he married the love of his life and started his family.  In order to support his family, he had to supplement his income by working at various jobs—insurance salesman, pulp wooding, the kaolin mine in Hephzibah, running a country store, to name a few. He did like to see things grow and working in his garden gave him much joy and comfort. But after preaching the word, Bill’s next favorite job was sales.  He was a known “talker” so sales positions fitted him well.  Being a people-person, Bill never met a stranger and made friends easily.  He also enjoyed a good joke and making people laugh.  Bill had an absolute, unconditional love for his family.  He also had a deep concern for others and a giving spirit, helping out neighbors and strangers alike in any way he could.  Bill’s desire was that everyone come to know his best friend and Savior, Jesus, and tried to live his life accordingly. He persevered through life’s trials—the loss of his children, losing his eyesight and other health issues—relying on his faith and the strength given to him by his Holy Father. Bill was not a perfect man but one who loved and trusted his Savior, one who tried to love as he was first loved, and one who tried to show Jesus to everyone he met. Now, he is reaping his rewards in his eternal home.

Bill was also preceded in death by three of his children, Mark L. Arrington, Martha L. Arrington and David K. Arrington; and all of his siblings, Zettie L. Arrington, Sarah A. Penrow, Obed W. Arrington Jr. and Marion B. Arrington.  Other survivors include four children, Matthew J. Arrington, Joy R. Hillman, Jan E. Ryan (Robert) and Tracy J. Arrington; ten grandchildren, Stephaney Williams (Seth), Rebecca Lynn Newsome, W. G. Bartlett (Cassie), Thomas Daniel, Berry Arrington, Shane Arrington (Meghan), Candace Perry (Shayne), Kristen Arrington, Shelby Ginn and Cody Arrington; eight great-grandchildren, Presley Amerson , Hunter Copeland, J. R. Amerson, Logan Newsome, Reagan Bartlett, Kenneth Arrington, Jaxson Ginn and Adela Arrington; nieces, nephews, church family and many friends.

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Letting Go