William Kenneth Goddard Jr. left this earth to join his beloved creator on November 21, 2018. He was preceded in death by his two sons, William Kenneth Goddard III and William Freely Goddard; both parents William Kenneth Goddard, Sr. and Ida Viola Street Goddard; and his three siblings, Ansel Griffin, Richard Goddard and Louise Cook. He leaves behind his wife of sixty-two years, Iva Carol Smith Goddard, his daughter Elise (Lisa) Henson (Steve), his youngest son Clayton Hall Goddard (Amy), and four grandchildren: Lauren Elise Underwood, William Greyson Goddard, John Grant Goddard and Owen Griffen Goddard and much loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
William (also known as W. K., Bill, or “Peepaw” to his grandchildren) was born May 13th, 1929 in Grand Junction, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in soil science. Upon graduation Mr. Goddard worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (USSCS) in Montana. During the Korean War he was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his service to our country, he rejoined the USSCS working in both Colorado and Tennessee. In 1961 he was hired by the U.S. Forrest Service (USFS). Mr. Goddard served as a soil and water chemist, working out of offices in both Ozark and Russellville, Arkansas. He retired from the U.S. Forrest Service after more than thirty-five years of service. Much of his work involved soils, watershed, and water quality projects in the Ozark and St. Francis National Forests. During this time, Mr. Goddard played a significant role in the opening of Blanchard Caverns in Mountain View, Arkansas.
In addition to his occupational contributions, Mr. Goddard also served the communities where he lived through his work as a member of the United Methodist Church, the Ozark Lions Club (Past President), the Toastmasters, and the North Little Rock Optimist Club.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Moore’s Funeral Home of Jacksonville, AR. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, AR. Burial services will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. in Grand Junction, TN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the “Freely Goddard Educational Fund” – ICO First United Methodist Church, 6701 JFK Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72116. OR the First United Methodist Church, 308 W. Main Street, Jacksonville, AR 72076.