Bill Drinkwater was born on February 7, 1928, in Malvern Arkansas to Edna Yates Drinkwater and James Raymond Drinkwater. He had two wonderful brothers; James was killed in WWII and Clyde died in 2013. Bill went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 28, 2023.

He leaves behind his children William (Trudi) Drinkwater, Maylu (Charles) Stuckey, and Melissa (John) Joyce. His beloved grandchildren April (Michael) Manley, D.J. (Trinity) Drinkwater, Megan Stuckey and soon to be husband Ryan Denhard, Logan (Alexis) Stuckey, Molly Stuckey, Jared Joyce, Cody (Brookese) Joyce, and savannah Joyce. Six great grandchildren have brought him joy and laughter, Noah and Caleb Joyce, Olivia and Dillon Stuckey, James Drinkwater, and Maryann Manley.

Bill joined the Navy at 17 years of age and served his country at the end of WWII. He served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He married MaryAnn Orr in January 1956 and enjoyed 64 years of marriage before her death in 2020. Their oldest daughter LeAnn Wilson went to be with the lord in 2004. Bill loved the Lord, his family, and his many wonderful friends. He lived a very long life full of adventure to the very end.

Services will be Saturday April 1, 2023 with visitation starting at 2PM and the services to follow at 3PM, burial will be at Johnson Chapel.