William Arnold Grimes

William Arnold "Bill" Grimes suddenly, unexpectedly and peacefully passed from this life to the next while visiting his son on an organic family farm in Minnesota on June 14, 2015. Bill was a devoted husband; father, brother, uncle and friend to his family and many others. Bill and his wife Julia Williams Fletcher Grimes resided in Lonoke, Arkansas where he enjoyed the last several years in their home, being cherished by her. Bill was born June 2, 1953 in Memphis, TN, the second son of Carl B. and Billie Yelvington Grimes, who both pre-deceased him.Bill is survived by Julia of Lonoke, Arkansas; his son Justin Bryan Grimes and wife Kassie, daughter Summer Grimes, all of Minneapolis, MN, daughter Holland Grimes and son Ben Grimes and wife Amber, who reside in California, two brothers, Carl E. Grimes and wife Kathy of Fayetteville, Arkansas, J.B. Grimes and wife Jennifer of Auburn, AL and one sister, Gina Grimes Burns and husband Rickey of Bethlehem, Arkansas, Julia's daughter and son, Julianne Fletcher of Lonoke and Will Fletcher of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.Growing up in Clarendon, Arkansas Bill had a passion for farming and forsook his other passion for aviation to return home from college to take over the family farm when his Dad became ill.When family farming went through the 1970's oil-related downturn, Bill began a new career in restaurant management with El Chico. He later left that to begin a 20+ year career with Sam's Club which he concluded as a General Manager in Minneapolis in order to pursue his dream. An innovator at heart, Bill developed several unique products for the grocery business including mechanized grocery cart systems and a "widget" the C3 rope and ratchet system to safely and efficiently move grocery carts. The C3 system is being used in thousands of grocery locations across the USA through a company owned and operated by Bill's son, Justin. Bill was also the General Manager of Grimes Family Partnership, a family farm with investments in Dairy Queen Restaurants.Bill was a gentle and calming person who was beloved by all who knew him but especially his family who mourn his untimely passing.A memorial service was held in his honor in Minnetonka, MN on Saturday, June 20, 2015.An Arkansas graveside memorial service will be held Monday, July 6, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Shiloh Cemetery near Holly Grove, Arkansas. Bill's ashes will be laid to rest near his Mom and Dad in the Grimes Family plot. The family requests that memorials be made to: Shiloh Cemetery C/O FNBEA- PO Box 299-Holly Grove, Arkansas 72069.