William Leon "W.L." Bruce

William Leon “W.L.” Bruce, 95 of Batesville passed away Monday, May 31, 2021.  He was born November 30, 1925.    He was a U.S. Navy Veteran having served from March 18, 1943 until January 5, 1946.  He was married to Olean Audie James on March 3, 1950 in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas.  He earned a B.S. from Arkansas College in 1954 and a M.S.E. from Arkansas State College in 1964.  He was a retired high school science teacher and a member of West Baptist Church in Batesville.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Ann Bruce; his wife of 62 years, Olean Bruce; one brother and four sisters.

Survivors include one son, William L. Bruce Jr. (Frances) of Sherwood; one daughter, Judy Gail Toombs (Dan) of Maryville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Jennifer Glasgow (Clay) of North Little Rock and David Bruce (Elizabeth) of Rogers; eleven great grandchildren, Grace, Andrew, Claire, Luke, Isaac, Elizabeth Rose and Benjamin Glasgow, Lillie, Katherine, Philip and Laura Bruce; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel in Batesville with W.L. Bruce Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be David Bruce, Clay Glasgow, Dan Toombs, Bill James and James Leggett.

The family requests that memorials be made to West Baptist Church or to the Gideons.  The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Wood-Lawn Heights Nursing Home for the love and care they gave to our dad during his seven years there.