William Selby Kennedy, 87, of Muscle Shoals, Ala., formally of England, Ark., was born on December 21, 1935, and departed this life on March 31, 2023.
He was born to William Selby and Blanche Scroggins Kennedy and was raised in England, Ark. His childhood was as unique as he was. He grew up in his father’s Rexall “drug store” and the village of his extended family cared for him due to his mother’s passing when he was 14 years old.
In his early years he enjoyed his motorcycle, playing golf, piloting his own airplane and had an unusual interest in nutrition and body building for the times. He also was a musician and trained vocalist. He actually recorded several gospel albums and sang in many Methodist revivals across the South.
Bill graduated from Hendrix College and returned to England where he married Beverly Cantrell. They had two children – Sel and Allison. In 1982 they moved permanently to Hot Springs, Ark., where he continued his lifelong career in Finance. During this he enjoyed many years with his children, grandchildren and friends on Lake Hamilton.
After Beverly died in 2012, he united and married his high school sweetheart Louise (Leigh) Halbrook. They relocated to Muscle Shoals, Ala. After the loss of his son Sel in 2016, Bill struggled to find his joy. Leigh’s family helped fill that void with their love and support until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Selby and Blanche Kennedy; his wife, Beverly Cantrell Kennedy; and their son, William Selby Kennedy.
He is survived by his daughter, Allison Kennedy Halter and her husband Chuck, their children, Thomas, JaneAnne and Helen Halter; Sel’s children, Kaytlyn Richard (Shelby), Hannah Kennedy and William Kennedy, and their mothers, Beckie Kennedy and Susan Martin; his wife Louise (Leigh) Halbrook, her children Tambra Howard (Rodney) and Mark Pyle (Lisa), and their families. He also has 10 great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank Hospice of North Alabama for their care of Bill the last year of his life. A graveside service will be held at Mulberry cemetery in England, Ark., Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. Any memorial gifts may be made to England First United Methodist Church, England, AR. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/england
Published April 4, 2023
OBITUARY SUBMITTED BY:
Roller-England Funeral Home
202 Stuttgart Highway, P.O. Box 97, England, AR
Phone: 501-842-3939
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