William H Ketchum

Bill Ketchum, 92, of Heber Springs, Arkansas died Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He will be remembered for the love of his country, quick sense of humor and persistent drive to be the coordinator (the “Captain”) of any gathering or event.

A small graveside service will be held on Tuesday, 29 April at 1:00 PM at the cemetery in Lonoke, Arkansas. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Heber Springs, Arkansas to properly celebrate his life with family, friends, neighbors and squadron mates.

Born in Lonoke, Arkansas to the late JB and Marguerite Ketchum, “Bill” loved his home state of Arkansas and was an avid fan of his beloved Hogs! Despite this affection for his hometown and Arkansas, he travelled far and wide in his 32-year career as a Naval Aviator and Officer. In fact, he and Janice, his wife of 60 years at the time of her passing, made 23 major moves, and several minor transits while in the Navy.

Bill was a proud Naval Aviator with over 10,000 hours of flight time in the P-3 Orion where he logged those hours surveilling for submarines during the Cold War. On occasion he would tell stories of his exploits in the venerable P-3, primarily to note the locations where he flew but more importantly to relive and remember the colorful crew that he had the fortune in which to fly.

Always active, Bill was a frequent runner who even into his 80’s would tell his kids that he was going out for a “run”. That coupled with his interest in golf, gave him yet another opportunity to be the coordinator for multiple excursions, whether at his home course or with his “Boys of Summer” college crew at various locations! In fact, some of his activities were suspect, as he never passed up the opportunity to inform a nearby listener that his doctor’s had recommended, he consider less bull riding and hang gliding (humorous yes, yet activities he never once attempted)!

Bill Ketchum was an inspirational leader. Many of the Officers, Men and Women in the Navy attribute their success to his nurturing leadership which, if occasionally tough, was always with love. He didn't tell sailors “go get a haircut”. He told them to "stand closer to the barber" preserving their dignity. He loved his life and seemingly had a story for everything from milking cows as a kid in Lonoke, to capturing Janice at the University of Arkansas (one of his best stories), to mischievous activities in the Navy, most of which were G-rated.

During his 32 years in the Navy, Bill and Janice served at naval bases across the United States and deployed to well-known and austere locations around the world. His successful career allowed him to command at multiple levels and he was proud that he played a part in progressing our country’s vital interests.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathrine LeDoyen and her husband Charles, of Wadmalaw, South Carolina; Kendrick Ketchum and his wife, Ruth, of Heber Springs, Arkansas; and Kyle Ketchum and his wife Molly of Fairfax, Virginia and brother, J.B. Ketchum of Lonoke, Arkansas. In total, he was the proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren.

There is an important wedding in the Ketchum Family next weekend. It made sense to have a small family burial in Lonoke next to Janice as soon as possible to make way for the wedding. As indicated, a Memorial Service will be announced at a later day, probably sooner than later.

VR, BB and Jack