Rev. William H. Dean

Rev. William H. "Bill" Dean, 92, passed peacefully from this earthly life to life everlasting on Wednesday morning, January 29, 2014, surrounded by his wife of 68 years and his 4 surviving sons. Visitation: Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Calvary Tabernacle, 2612 E. Central, Bentonville, AR., 72712, where he was a long-time member. Funeral: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, Cross Church Pinnacle Hills Campus, 2448 S Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758. Additional visitations will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at The Pentecostals of Bossier City and 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, TX. Graveside service: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6th at the historical Shelby Chapel Cemetery in Athens, TX. Memorials: The family of Bill Dean respectfully asks that memorials be given in lieu of flowers to the William H. Dean Memorial Bible School in Nicaragua. Memorials may be given through Calvary Tabernacle (P.O. Box 93, Bentonville, AR 72712); The Pentecostals of Bossier City (2833 Viking Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111); Heartland Church (4020 Nazarene Drive, Carrollton, TX 75010) or the United Pentecostal Church International, Global Missions, Attention: W.H. Dean Memorial, 8855 Dunn Rd., Hazelwood, MO 63042. William “Bill” Horton Dean, 92, native of Henderson County, TX, and long-time resident of Bentonville, AR, died on January 29, 2014, after a brief illness. Bill was born on October 19, 1921 in Henderson County, TX, the second of five children born to the late William Henry Dean and the late “Oatie” Horton Dean. The close knit community of Ash Switch (so known because of the close proximity of the St. Louis and Southwestern Railway track switch) was where Bill would spend his childhood years. He would grow up on the family farm, responsible for daily chores along with schoolwork. He would graduate from Athens High School in 1940 where he was a member of the varsity football team. Following his graduation, Bill would join the Civilian Conservation Corps to help support his family during the great depression. He would work on the trails of the Grand Canyon, sending money back to his family to preserve the farm from creditors. Bill was a highly decorated WWII Army veteran who served his country bravely as an elite paratrooper. He was involved in combat in France, Sicily, Italy, and Belgium. He was assigned to the 551st Battalion, known in history as “The Lost Battalion.” The 551st has been acknowledged in many books and documentaries and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. The brave feats of the 551st were also documented in the award-winning book, “The Left Corner of My Heart.” Bill was the last surviving member of the light machine gunners, later assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. His commendations include the Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts. After the conclusion of the war, he would return home, working first as a farmer and then later as a salesman for Cabell’s Ice Cream. His gregarious personality would see him excel as a salesman and advance in the company while living in Tyler, TX. He would later feel the call of God on his life and give himself wholly to God’s work. He would become ordained in the United Pentecostal Church International, pastoring churches in McGregor, DeLeon, Friona, and Killeen (all in Texas) before retiring in 1989. After his retirement, he and Mary would live for 9 years in Bossier City, LA. before moving to Bentonville. Bill served as a member of the UPC Texas District Board for eight years, serving as Presbyter. He would also serve on the Texas District Sunday School Board. He was a faithful champion of Global Missions, supporting numerous missionaries worldwide. Survivors: wife: Mary Deen Benton Dean; sons: Pastor John Dean and his wife Debbie of Bentonville, AR; Pastor Jerry Dean and his wife Regina of Bossier City, LA; Pastor Daniel Dean and his wife Becky of Colleyville, TX; Mark Dean and his wife Sylvia of Arlington, TX. Grandchildren: Shannon Dean, Clint Dean, Brandon Dean, Janiah Dean, Jonathon Dean and his wife Carla, Tammy Dean Muehlebach and her husband Monty, Pastor Chantry Dean and his wife Heather, Brooke Dean, Jeremy Dean and his wife Patrice, Charidy Dean Stanley and her husband Pastor Shannon Stanley, Pastor Ryan Dean and his wife Shari, Pastor Dusty Dean and his wife Kendra, Music Pastor Devin Dean and his wife Kendell, Danielle Dean, Alison Dean Eldridge and her husband Ron, Alexandrea Dean and Dillon Dean; great-grandchildren: Caleb, Seth, Brandon Jr., Jaden, Bristol, Klein, Zeta, Ava, Lincoln, Harrison, Luke, Eva, Raylan, Jaden, Sailor, and Liam. Also by a sister; Jean Dean Caldwell of Athens, TX; brother; Dan Dean and his wife Norma of Lake Jackson, TX; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his extended family of in-laws: Juanell Benton of Wylie, Texas, Elton Benton Jr. and his wife Loretta of Ft. Smith, AR, Dennis Benton and his wife Ollie of Tyler, TX. As well as his parents, he was preceded in death by sons Pastor David Dean and James Randal Dean; sisters Mary Dean Hanys, Peggy Dean Andress and a great-grandson, Lincoln Stanley I. Arrangements are under the direction of Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, TX, Stockdale Moody Funeral Services in Rogers, AR and Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, TX.

Rev. William H. Dean

October 19, 1921 - January 29, 2014