William Goodwin Obituary

William C. "Bill" Goodwin, 89, passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2025. To say he "lived life to the fullest" would be a significant understatement. A fishing and gardening enthusiast, he never met a stranger and was a storyteller extraordinaire. He was born March 29, 1936 in Homewood, Alabama to Carl Jason and Mae Dell Goodwin. Because his dad had a plant nursery that Bill worked in as a young person, he attended Auburn University, majored in horticulture and became a lifelong, devoted fan of the Auburn Tigers athletic teams. He was also a Navy veteran, having served for two years in the Navy Reserves. Bill worked for 30 years as a manufacturer's representative in the fishing tackle and outdoor sports products industry. Upon retirement, he became very involved in downtown Hot Springs and at one time, had four businesses in that area.
He became very active as a volunteer in local and state tourism promotional efforts. He served on the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission from 1990 to 1996, leading the group as chairman from 1994-1996. In 1996, he was honored with the prestigious Arkansas Tourism Person of the Year Award and in 1997, the tourism leaders in Hot Springs celebrated his continuing efforts with the Hernando DeSoto Award. In 1998, Governor Mike Huckabee recognized him as an Arkansas Fishing Super Supporter.
He was most at home fishing Hot Springs area lakes, especially Lake Ouachita, or surf fishing in the Alabama coastal waters. He spoke often about feeling closest to God when he was in a garden and created many picturesque gardens over his lifetime, wherever he lived. During the years he and Lisa lived in Mount Ida, he became very involved in that community, serving as President of the Mt. Ida Area Chamber of Commerce in 2001 and being named Volunteer of the Year in 2002.
From 2002 to 2013, he and Lisa lived in Baldwin County, Alabama and he eventually took on the role as a horticulturist for the City of Foley. He was a Master Gardener in both Alabama and Arkansas and in 2007 founded the Foley Alabama Historic Rose Trail. In 2011, the City of Foley celebrated his dedication to the community with the Extra Mile Award, in part due to his role as the catalyst for the beginnings of a popular Farmers Market in 2009. It is now known as the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen's Market and was recently recognized by Newsweek as the nation's first runner up in the 2025 Reader's Choice Award for Best Farmers Market. Following his retirement, the couple returned to Arkansas, settling in Hot Springs Village.
His volunteer spirit continued in the village as he served on the lakes committee, eventually assuming the role of chairman and was active in both the HSV Anglers Club and Baitcasters Club. He became a member of the Hot Springs Village Rotary Club, earning recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow. To his family and friends, he was "larger than life" and one friend appropriately described him as a "force of nature." He truly left a rich legacy everywhere he lived. He not only wanted to beautify the communities in which he resided, but was also well known for his fish frys and shrimp boils! He loved and was devoted to his family, his friends, and all the "fur babies" he had over the many years. He is greatly missed.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, the mother of his children, Bettye Brown, son Greg Goodwin and grandson-in-law Adam Maultsby. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa Goodwin, daughter Kathy Goodwin of Hot Springs Village and son Bill Goodwin, Jr. (Kourtney) of Greenbrier, Arkansas, grandchildren Holly Maultsby, Hunter Goodwin (Katie), Grant Goodwin (Cheyenne), Colton Jenkins, and Jackson Goodwin, great-grandchildren Emma Maultsby, Daniel Maultsby, Madison Goodwin, Lennon Goodwin, and Darcy Goodwin. Bill is also survived by a brother, Dennis Goodwin (Pat) of Bay Minette, AL and an aunt, Marilyn Colmant, of Knoxville, TN., along with nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
He was a member of Village United Methodist Church in Hot Springs Village. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday July 19th, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the church. In remembrance of Bill's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to one of the following:
Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116 www.arkansashospice.org/foundation
While We're Waiting, P.O. Box 22823, Hot Springs, AR 71903 whilewerewaiting.org
Village United Methodist Church, 200 Carmona Rd., Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 www.villageumc.net
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