Bill Stanley receives Community Spirit Award

Bill Stanley

When one thinks of a community volunteer in Marked Tree, Bill Stanley is one of the first people to come to mind. With leadership positions in everything from the Rotary Club to the American Legion, it's no wonder that he received the Community Spirit Award by the Marked Tree Chamber of Commerce at their annual banquet March 19.

"I was T-totally surprised," said Stanley of the award. "They really caught me off guard."

Born in Conway, Stanley, 74, graduated from Conway High School. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he obtained a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry and a master's degree in vocational education.

Stanley took his first teaching job at Portland High School in Ashley County in 1963 where he taught agriculture. He then served as assistant director of Pettit Jean Vocational School in Morrilton for three years before moving to Marked Tree in 1966 to become director of Delta Vocational School.

"I was called to Little Rock and asked if I was interested in being the director of a new technical school," said Stanley. "Everyone wants an opportunity to move up and that's how I got mine."

When Stanley came to Marked Tree in 1966 Delta School was just a building site. He worked to help oversee the school's construction, hire staff and purchase equipment. He served as the school's director for 21 years until he retired in 1987.

Stanley also has an impressive military history. In 2003, Stanley was inducted into the Arkansas National Guard Hall of Fame for his 35 year of service. A Colonel, Stanley was commander of the National Guard unit in Marked Tree from 1970-1972 and commander of the 875th Unit in Jonesboro from 1983 until his retirement in 1987.

Stanley's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Arkansas Exceptional Service Medal.

Even with all his career achievements at both Delta and in the military, Stanley always found time to serve the community he grew to love.

"I've always liked Marked Tree," Stanley said. "It's got good people, and everyone wants to make the town a good community by working together to accomplish whatever we need to accomplish."

Stanley joined the Marked Tree Rotary Club in 1966 and has since served three terms as president with his most recent term ending in 2008. He is also a member of the Elm Masonic Lodge in Marked Tree and the American Legion in Lepanto.

And, Stanley's service doesn't stop there. He is a faithful member of the Marked Tree First United Methodist Church where he has worked with the children in the "Noah's Arts" program for 14 years. He helps the children do a variety of arts and crafts projects while teaching them Biblical values.

If asked why he enjoys community service so much, Stanley is likely to just smile and shrug like it's not a big deal. But, with some prodding he will admit that he enjoys giving back to others.

"I've always been involved in people endeavors," said Stanley. "I like to see people better themselves. If I hadn't had a lot of good influence through individuals in my life that have meant so much to me, I wouldn't have done all that I've done. I've seen what they did to help me, and I try to share that with others."

And, it's truly Stanley's love of people which drives him. It was that desire to help others which led him into becoming a teacher, and it was his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others that has made him such an important part of so many lives. Still, Stanley is always quick to give the credit to someone else.

"I had teachers in college who saw me as an individual and not a number," Stanley said. "They saw good in me and encouraged me to do good things. If you have people that pull those good traits out of you, then you want to share those with others."

Stanley still keeps in touch with many of his former students, including one student, now 63, who is a doctor in Jonesboro. Stanley has had other students go on to be teachers, oil company executives and even airplane pilots.

"It's a good feeling to know they've done well with their lives," Stanley said.

Of course those students, and many Marked Tree citizens, would say they owe part of who they are to Stanley, a humble man greatly deserving of the chamber's Community Spirit Award.

Stanley and his wife Mary have been married for 52 years. They have one son, Ronald Stanley of Conway; one daughter, Amanda Nichols of Jonesboro; and five grandchildren.