William N. Bill Ott, 80, was born in Chicago, Ill., on July 23, 1927, to William E. and Marie Carnitz Ott. Upon graduation from Calumet High School in Chicago, he joined the United States Army, where he reached the rank of Technical Sergeant, serving as a military policeman.

He is survived by his wife, Amalia Molly Ott of Albuquerque, N.M.; one daughter, Alice Dawn McMillan of Conway; one son Bill Ott, Jr. of Eureka Springs; two step-daughters, Diane Smith of Arkadelphia, and Cecilia Flores of Albuquerque, N.M.; two grandchildren, Brian McMillan of Benton, and Regina Ott of Little Rock; three step-grandchildren, Jeffrey Smith, Rachel Smith and Stephen Smith, all of Arkadelphia; one great-grandchild, Allison McMillan of Benton; and one step-great-grandchild Adriana Smith of Arkadelphia.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister Eleanor Kurzawski, and his first wife Betty Ott. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Hot Springs, and Redeemer Lutheran Church of Albuquerque, N.M.

Mr. Ott was a retired banker from Arkansas First National Bank of Hot Springs, where he served as a loan officer and later as branch manager at Worthen Bank of Hot Springs Village. He also worked as a guest relations Redcoat at Oaklawn Jockey Club. He was active in community affairs, having served Hot Springs Sixth Ward as an alderman for 12 years, chairman of Budget and Finance Committee of the City of Hot Springs, member of Hot Springs Parking Authority, commissioner of Hot Springs/Garland County Ambulance Service, member of Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, president of Hot Springs Jaycees, board member of Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, board member of Miss Arkansas Pageant, president of the Hot Springs Trojan Booster Club, president and board member of Hot Springs Boys Club, president of Hot Springs Optimist Club, charter member of Mid-America Lions Club of Hot Springs, president of Hot Springs Village Lions Club, founder of Hot Springs Village Razorback Club, liaison and board member of Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Hot Springs Village POA, and congregation president and elder of First Lutheran Church.

It is said that he touched thousands of people in the greater Hot Springs area by looking past their social and financial status and looking into their eyes and seeing their heart. He always had a smile and firm handshake for all he met. He was always ready to serve his community that he called home from 1955 to 2006. Although he was civic minded and active, he never failed to let those in his family know that they were special and loved. He continued sharing that love with his extended family at Arbor Creek Healthcare in his new home of Albuquerque, N.M, where he finished his life living the philosophy that made him adored and now missed: making people feel good through caring, a smile, a touch and a true concern for each and every individual. He died in the Lord peacefully.

Services were to be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 28, at First Lutheran Church of Hot Springs, 105 Village Road, with Pastors Jon Beyer and Roy Jacob officiating. Interment was to follow at Crestview Mausoleum on Highway 70 East.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Braille Workers Fund of First Lutheran Church, 105 Village Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913.

Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.