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Community Corner

Former Portsmouth Resident passes away


William Charles McLaughlin

     William Charles McLaughlin, age 85, of Magnet Cove, formerly of Portsmouth, RI, passed away January 12, 2014, at Courtyard Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation in Arkadelphia.  He was born July 4th, 1928 in Palmerton, Pennsylvania to the late Harry McLaughlin and Ann Marie Martin Claussen.  His was known to his friends as Bill or Mac.  Bill grew up in the Bronx where he attended school and then joined the Merchant Marines.  Later he joined the Navy and retired as a Chief Petty Officer.  His last duty station was Newport, RI.  Bill served in WW II, The Korean War, and Vietnam; receiving many medals and honors of distinction in each conflict. After retiring from the Navy he moved to Malvern where he worked for the HSC Road Department before retiring in 1986. Bill was a member of the American Legion, The Elks Club, The Moose Lodge, VFW post 2278, The Cootie Club and the HS Jazz Society.  Bill was also an avid bowler where he was on the 700 club at the Aquidneck Lanes in Middletown, RI as well as Central Bowling Lanes in Hot Springs. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his daughter Raven and planting vegetable gardens with her. He taught his granddaughter Michaela all about the different trees and plants while walking his property every day after school.  He loved being outside and gardening.  He also loved to take his great grandson Kolbi to feed the fish in his pond. Bill loved to collect old radios and restore them in his spare time as well as repair old TVs’. He was a true junk collector and saw the value in everything!

He is predeceased in death by  his wife of 58 years, Jerry Ross McLaughlin; his parents;  and a sister Ann Blaisdell.

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Bill leaves behind his beloved daughter Raven [Jimmy Lee] Spurlin of Magnet Cove; a daughter Robin Ross of Albion, NY.  Eight grandchildren, Dr. James Spurlin of Fargo, ND; Christa Spurlin of Malvern;  Michaela Spurlin of Magnet Cove; Joseph [Chelsea] Garner of Kensett, AR, Dakota “Kody” Henson of Mt Pine; Noah Rowlett of Albion, NY; William “Billy” [Robin] McLaughlin III of Portsmouth, RI; and Heath McLaughlin of Fall River, MA. He also has six great grandchildren.

Raven and the rest of the family apologize for the late notice of his passing but we were not notified by the family members who should have done that and so we ask that God have mercy on the souls of all those involved in this treachery. Bill was cremated per his wishes and had no service that the family knows of.  Condolences may be sent to his family at 20925 Hwy   51, Malvern, AR 72104.

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It just hurts so bad sometimes
'Cause everyday it's sinking in
And I have to say goodbye all over again
You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world off your shoulders now
I'm dreaming of the day when I'm finally there with you

Save a place for me
Save a place for me
I'll be there soon
I'll be there soon
Save a place for me
Save some grace for me
I'll be there soon
I'll be there soon

I have asked the question why
But I guess the answer's for another time
So instead I'll pray with every tear
And be thankful for the time I had you here
And I wanna live my life just like you did
Make the most of my time just like you did
And I wanna make my home up in the sky
Just like you did
Oh, but until I get there
Until I get there
save a place for me, I will be there soon…………Matthew West


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