Williams Henry Bush
Sr. was born March 23, 1919 to Liddia Randall and Floyd Allen Bush, Sr. in the St. Paul Community. On Tuesday, October 18, 2022 the Lord called the kind spirit of Deacon William Henry Bush Sr. home for a long journey to a home of glory.
Deacon Bush would often reminisce of his childhood and young adult life working on the Priddy Farm, Arthur Todd Place and Davis Place. While attending school in Locust Bayou he worked on the farm with his dad. He talked about how he chopped cotton all day for thirty cents. He was very fond of a pair of hourses an mule that he had trained and often chided that everyone tried to buy them. Many times he told the story of how he acquired the nickname of 'Jack' which was well known by family, friends, and co-workers.
He was united in holy matrimony to Nona Lea McRae on December 25, 1938. To this union nine children were born and another son was added. Three of the nine children: Clara Mae Bush, Ethel Dean Edington and Jo Ellen Bush preceded him in death. His wife, Mother Nona Lea Bush of 83 years preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his parents' Liddia Randall and Floyd Bush; grandchildren: Gail An Golden and Michael 'Peter' Golden;great granddaughter; Wykeshia Edington; Brothers: James 'Jet'' Bush, Floyd Allen Bush Jr., Robert 'Fat Boy' Bush and other brothers; sister: Maudie Lee 'Sang' McRae, Lema Mae Bush, Willie Mae Williams and other sisters, in'laws and a host of relatives and friends.
In june 1944 he entered the United States Navy and served on a ship in Portland, Maine, After returning home from the Navy he was employed by Sparkman Lumber Company in Sparkman, AR. Later he worked for Pace Defense Company and Baldwin Electronics in East Camde, AR. Employed by Laron Smith, he hauled shavings across Arkansas and other surrounding states. He also worked for Potlatch in Warren, AR for many years. After tetiring form Potlatch, he worked for the Green Thumb Program in Hampton, AR.
'Jack' was a strong and independent man. He was a good cook and a very neat and sharp dresser. Being passionate about music, he taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica. He was kind to everyone and willing to help anybody in need. He often mowed and cleaned yards for the sick and elderly without charge. He and Mother Bush reared several grandchildren in their hom. 'Jack' love hunting, gardening an working in the yard until he reached his early 90's. He and his wife aways had an immaculate yard and a beautiful garden. They also kept the church clean and lawn manicured until their health failed. He served under many pastors at Locust Bayou C.O.G.I.C., Harrell C.O.G.I.C., then Hampton C.O.G.I.C.,now know as Greater Grace-Hampton C.O.G.I.C. In the church he served as a trustee, finance officer, deacon and musician. God blessed Deacon Bush with a gift of praying for the sick and they received healing and deliverance. He loved to praise the Lord and would shout and dance in the spirit. His favorite song was 'You've Got To Move.'
He leaves to cherish his memories, seve children; Loistene Golden, Mary Catherine Stephens, Rita Junior (Robert Lee) of Harrell, AR; Betty Tatum (Larry) of Banks, AR; Linda Roshell and William H. Bush Jr. of Milwaukee, Earnest Lee Bush (Shirley) of Houston, TX; a granddaughter, Patricia Bush of Harrell, AR, that he raised as his own, twentyfive grandchildren, fifty-nine great grandchildren, sixty-seven great-great grandchildren, five great-great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.