William "Bill" Arnold

Bill Arnold, 84, of Charleston entered eternal rest on Friday, November 13 at Bishop Gadsden CCRC, embraced by God and his beloved wife, Nada, in a spirit of grace and meaningful prayers.

A Celebration of Bill's Life will take place Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11 o'clock at The French Protestant (Huguenot) Church. A musical prelude at 10:30 precedes the service. After the service all are invited to a reception. Burial will be private.

William Ronald Arnold was born March 12, 1931 in Starkville, MS to the late Susan McClain Arnold and Leslie V. Arnold. Bill spent early teen years in Jackson, TN, and entered the University of TN, Knoxville.

Studies were interrupted by the Korean War. Bill served as radar-mapping navigator for all strategic bombing on the Korean peninsula. The unique Reconnaissance group attached to the Fifth Air Force, Japan went through thrice weekly night sorties until his B-26 was shot down, and rescued by a Navy ship, Bill the only survivor. A patriot to the end and proud to have served his country, he only lamented the unwritten story of those reconnaissance missions and lack of promised support from the United Nations.

University of Tennessee, BA completed, Bill joined the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA GLOBAL) and earned a Carnegia Mellon University MA for systems analysis (aka computer programming); also advanced studies at Columbia University's Graduate School of Management. For 15 years he trained analysts to develop computerized systems throughout ALCOA-- some of the first computerized metallurgy production lines in the world.

Solving problems in later years, helping managers to learn to work together, Bill traveled ALCOA sites in Australia, Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean, and Europe-building plants and focusing on productivity needs, but always respecting whomever he met or worked with as a person of honor and respect.

That was and is Bill Arnold's credo-which he has helped make mine, and carried me, his wife, through this difficult time He shared his amazing analytical and teaching skills for some 16 years as a teacher and pro bono tax preparer for the IRS Senior-Assistance Tax Preparation program held in Charleston senior centers and libraries.

A member of the Sons of the American Revolution, his Arnold ancestors, fought for and died for the American cause. He was a member of Rotary, Charleston and former president of the Dubuque, Iowa chapter.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Nada Skerly Arnold. Also his three children of whom he is immensely proud and grateful for the time shared with them: Karen Arnold Robinson (Mike) Norris, TN and grandchildren: Scott Robinson (Jill) of King College, TN; Katie Robinson Addis (Dustin) and daughter Emma James Addis, Studio City, CA. George Arnold and sons, Matthew and Andrew, Rockhill,SC and John Arnold, Maryville, TN

Bill and I are grateful for the loving care at Bishop Gadsden. Memorial gifts may be made to the Resident's Assistance Fund, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston SC 29412.