Search by Name
Search by Name
Services for William R. (Bill) Arnold will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, at the First Baptist Church of Lawrence. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Dr. Arnold died Thursday, November 17, following complications after surgery.
He was born May 4, 1933, in Salina, KS, the son of Clay and Ruby Arnold. Graduating from Salina High School in 1951, he attended the University of Kansas on a Summerfield Scholarship, receiving his B.A. in Sociology in 1955. A major highlight as an undergraduate was winning the National Debate Championship in 1954 as a member of the KU Debate squad. Awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, he received his M.A. from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1956. Holding a Danforth Fellowship, he earned a Ph.D. in Sociology with a concentration in Crime and Delinquency in 1963.
He taught Sociology at Hanover College in Indiana from 1960-1963 and the University of Texas at Austin from 1963-68 before beginning his long career at the University of Kansas, which spanned the years from 1968-2004. His KU classes, apart from a large introductory course, emphasized crime and delinquency studies. In 1999 he received the Steeples Faculty Award for Outstanding Service to the People of Kansas. He was the author of four books and numerous articles in the field of Criminal Justice.
Outside the classroom he devoted many hours to social and religious causes. A former Eagle Scout, he worked with young scouts at several levels. He also valued his participation in the First Baptist Church of Lawrence, especially the Missions Ministry. In local and state communities he was active in causes advocating reform, especially in the area of criminal justice. He lobbied for legislative action related to the justice system and authored studies on minority confinement and sentencing guidelines. He also chaired the Emergency Service Council, now administered by Ballard Center, and served on the board of the Lawrence League of Women Voters.
In 1955 he married Margaret Jean Smith, with whom he shared academic life and post-retirement travels. She survives him. Other survivors include three children: Janice, Bruce, and Mark Arnold as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to the Deacons' Fund of the First Baptist Church, the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, or the Children's Defense Fund in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, November 22, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Mark and Bruce - my deepest condolences on the passing of your father. I remember him well (probably wondering just what in the heck we were up to) from our "Ratsville" days. How could 40 years have passed since then? Please give my sympathies to your mom and Janice.
Torrence Anderson
November 29, 2016
My condolence for your loss. Please read the promise found at Psalms 119 : 76.
November 28, 2016
Margaret and family:
John and I were saddened by Bill's passing. Know we have you in our thoughts and prayers.
John & Sandy Clark
November 23, 2016
a loved one
November 22, 2016
Bill and I played tennis or a facsimile thereof for several years, and sang in the church choir together. The Bill and Margaret Arnold played in our handbell choir also. Always enjoyed talking together.
Tom Wilcox
November 21, 2016
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Funeral services provided by:
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more