Billy Dan Zellner
November 24, 1938 — May 15, 2024
Billy Dan Zellner of Greenbrier, Arkansas passed into the arms of his Lord on the morning of May 15th, 2024 surrounded by his wife, children, and loved ones. Bill, as he was known to most, would proudly tell you he was from the community of Springhill, Arkansas, where he was born and reared and he would say it was the best place this side of heaven.
Bill was born to Ila McCollum Zellner and Bernard R. Zellner on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th,1938. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jim Zellner (Lona) of Wenachee, WA; Radford Zellner (Marvell) of Greenbrier, AR; and Stanley Zellner (Hellen) of Glenwood, AR. Bill is survived by his wife, Judy McGinty Zellner of Greenbrier, AR; two children, Barry Zellner (Jennifer) and Julie McDonald (Chris), both of Conway, AR and he was Papaw to four adored grandchildren, Tate Zellner (Clementine Payne) of Rochester, MN, Luke Zellner, Emma Zellner, and Hadley Moser of Conway. He is also survived by two sisters, Betty Stevens and Barbara Simmons (Afton) of Conway and many nieces and nephews who all loved their Uncle Bill. Bill was born with a big heart and an indescribable capacity to love others. He was beloved by friends and family.
Bill graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1956 and then served in the Army Reserves. He married the love of his life, Judy, on August 17th, 1962 on the front porch of her family’s home in the community of McGintytown, Arkansas. During his illness, he told his children that he never knew a man could be so crazy about a woman. Bill spent a happy 61 years married to Judy. He dedicated his life to showing her how much he loved her and that he was crazy about her.
In 1963, Bill Zellner was a member of the Petit Jean Vocational and Technical College’s first Appliance Repair Class (now known as the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.) This began a long journey of 52 years, first as an appliance repair technician, and later opening a retail store along with Judy. He took great pride in building a lasting business with her that serves the Central Arkansas community to this day.
Bill had a servant's heart, shown by the many boards and organizations he served on during his life. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Faulkner County Council on Aging for 39 years. He spent 15 years as a member and then President of the Greenbrier School Board; he served on the Board of Trustees of Central Baptist College and served as a Deacon at his beloved Springhill Baptist Church. In 2023, Bill was honored to be Alumni of the Year for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (formerly Petit Jean Vocational/Technical College) during their 60th Anniversary Celebration. He was also honored to be named the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2003. Bill leaves a lasting legacy of service to his community, church, family, and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at Springhill Baptist Church by Pastor Ed Stephenson on Saturday, May 18th at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held at Springhill Baptist Church on Friday, May 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 17th.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Greenbrier Senior Citizen’s Center of the Faulkner County Council on Aging or the Springhill Baptist Church Youth Group.
Bill was born to Ila McCollum Zellner and Bernard R. Zellner on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th,1938. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jim Zellner (Lona) of Wenachee, WA; Radford Zellner (Marvell) of Greenbrier, AR; and Stanley Zellner (Hellen) of Glenwood, AR. Bill is survived by his wife, Judy McGinty Zellner of Greenbrier, AR; two children, Barry Zellner (Jennifer) and Julie McDonald (Chris), both of Conway, AR and he was Papaw to four adored grandchildren, Tate Zellner (Clementine Payne) of Rochester, MN, Luke Zellner, Emma Zellner, and Hadley Moser of Conway. He is also survived by two sisters, Betty Stevens and Barbara Simmons (Afton) of Conway and many nieces and nephews who all loved their Uncle Bill. Bill was born with a big heart and an indescribable capacity to love others. He was beloved by friends and family.
Bill graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1956 and then served in the Army Reserves. He married the love of his life, Judy, on August 17th, 1962 on the front porch of her family’s home in the community of McGintytown, Arkansas. During his illness, he told his children that he never knew a man could be so crazy about a woman. Bill spent a happy 61 years married to Judy. He dedicated his life to showing her how much he loved her and that he was crazy about her.
In 1963, Bill Zellner was a member of the Petit Jean Vocational and Technical College’s first Appliance Repair Class (now known as the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.) This began a long journey of 52 years, first as an appliance repair technician, and later opening a retail store along with Judy. He took great pride in building a lasting business with her that serves the Central Arkansas community to this day.
Bill had a servant's heart, shown by the many boards and organizations he served on during his life. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Faulkner County Council on Aging for 39 years. He spent 15 years as a member and then President of the Greenbrier School Board; he served on the Board of Trustees of Central Baptist College and served as a Deacon at his beloved Springhill Baptist Church. In 2023, Bill was honored to be Alumni of the Year for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (formerly Petit Jean Vocational/Technical College) during their 60th Anniversary Celebration. He was also honored to be named the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2003. Bill leaves a lasting legacy of service to his community, church, family, and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at Springhill Baptist Church by Pastor Ed Stephenson on Saturday, May 18th at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held at Springhill Baptist Church on Friday, May 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 17th.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Greenbrier Senior Citizen’s Center of the Faulkner County Council on Aging or the Springhill Baptist Church Youth Group.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Billy Dan Zellner, please visit our flower store.