Hope resident Mr. William Ellis Tolleson, Sr. (Bill), 85, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mr. Tolleson was born to Maxine and C.P. Tolleson on February 23, 1925 in Wright City, Oklahoma. He grew up in Hope and graduated from Hope High School. In 1943 Mr. Tolleson joined the Army to serve his country in Europe during WWII with the 103rd Infantry Division, 409th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Fox Company until 1946. He married Mary Stuart Jackson July 11th, 1948. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Civil Engineering, they settled in Hope and he joined his fathers business - Tol-E-Tex Oil Co. Mr. Tolleson managed the International Harvester dealership in Hope for 40 years. He was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hope, President of the Hope Public School Board for 10 years and helped facilitate the public schools through desegregation, served on the Water and Light Board and served his community in many ways. Mr. Tolleson felt extremely blessed by his children and grandchildren. He never had a harsh word or dishonest action. He spent his retirement years with his faithful companion, Roscoe, working on his home and farm. Mr. Tolleson was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mary Stuart Tolleson and his sister, Mary Pauline Polly Huber. He is survived by Two sons: Bill Tolleson, Jr. of Hope, Tom Tolleson of Evergreen , Colorado, and Six daughters: Molly Reyenga of Robertsdale, Alabama, Jenny Hardy of Durango, Colorado; Susan Watkins of Fayetteville, AR ; Emily Mistretta of Lakeland, Florida ; Kathy Tolleson of Little Rock, Arkansas ; Sarah Goodgame of Fayetteville, Arkansas ; 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grand children. The family wishes to thank his dear friends; Elaine Douglas and Janet Latham for their kindness and friendship of the past 10 years. MEMORIAL SERVICE will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, 701 South Main Street, Hope, Arkansas, with Dr. Phil McLarty officiating. Private burial services will be held. Arrangements by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, Hope, Arkansas. FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS Monday, July 12, 2010, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, 1001 South Main Street, Hope, Arkansas. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, Memorials may be made to: the First Presbyterian Church, 701 South Main Street Hope, Arkansas 71801. Arrangements by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, Hope, Arkansas.