Lewis “Bill” Arnold
Born May 2, 1929 in Kenansville, FloridaDeparted March 11, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida
Bill Arnold was born May 2, 1929, in Kenansville, FL to the late Arnett and Alene Arnold. He attended Kenansville School until he deemed himself “smarter than the teacher” and graduated in the 5th grade. He later moved to Fellsmere, FL where he resided with his parents and siblings, Chester, Alvena, Henry and Leo until joining the Army-Air Force in 1947. Following his time in the service he married his first wife Martha and raise their four children, Marlene, Billie Jean, Sonny and Bo while working as a commercial fisherman with his brother and sister.
In 1985, Bill married the one he would spend the rest of his life loving, Jean. He gained two more children Denny and Debbie, who he loved as his own. The years would bless them with 16 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
After retiring from Flood Control in 1991, Bill would spend his time enjoying all the things he loved the most, with his family being number one. Whether it was hunting at his hunting camp in Georgia or speck fishing in Lake Marion he always wanted his family to join him. He had a green thumb like no other and could grow the most gorgeous roses you had ever seen, the best tasting citrus you had ever bitten into and a plentiful garden that could feed an Army.
He also enjoyed bluegrass music and traveling the state to bluegrass festivals with Jean. If he wasn’t chasing a festival, hunting, fishing or outside tending to one of his many gardens, you could find him inside watching a baseball game with a big glass of sweet, iced tea with his pup Heidi or Sadie.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Arnold, son Bo Arnold, daughter Marlene Mullins, brothers Chester Arnold and Henry Arnold, sister Alvena Patton and is survived by his brother Leo (Cookie) Arnold, son Sonny Arnold and daughter Billie Jean Hayes.
Services will be held on March 18, 2024 at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home at 1010 E. Palmetto Ave. Melbourne, Fl. The family will begin receiving guests at 10:00am with services starting at 11:00am. Interment will immediately follow at Fountainhead Memorial Park at 7303 Babcock St. SE Palm Bay, FL.