William D. Arrington

William D’Lawrence Arrington was born on November 22, 1947, in Heidelberg, MS.  He was called to be with our Lord on Sunday, August 6, 2023.  He battled Parkinson’s Disease for more than 20 years before he was called home.  He was the son of Geneva and Lee William Arrington.  At the age of 12, J.W. Clayton, Williams’s stepfather, began to play a very special role in his life as well.

William, affectionately known as Scoopy or Scoopy Jack by his family, moved to Joliet, Il. in 1958 and attended Gompers Junior High School.  Upon graduation he attended Joliet Township High School Central Campus where he graduated in 1966.  He always enjoyed watching and playing sports of various kinds.  He was a great baseball player for many years representing Stone City Lodge at the Joliet and Lockport Park Districts.  He was also an outstanding basketball player throughout his 4 years of attendance at JT Central and most thrilled at the opportunity in his senior year to be a part of the State Tournament where he and his teammates did an awesome job.

William enlisted in the United States Army from 1967 through 1970 faithfully serving his country in various states and even a stint in Germany as a heavy vehicle driver.  After his honorable discharge he returned to Joliet where he regained his employment with Caterpillar Tractor Co., going on to serve them for 33 years.  He retired in March of 1999.  

William united in marriage with his fiancée, Dorothy Ellis, on December 11, 1971.  To this union one child was born, Kasonja Arrington.  He has always been a loving, caring, protective husband and father.  At this point, he and Dorothy have been blessed to share their lives together for 51 plus years, enjoying the opportunity to travel as much as possible, spend valuable time with each other and the grandchildren, as well as being able to share in the care of their parents while they were still living. To God be the Glory! 

William was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church for many years joining under the leadership of Rev. James McNear, followed by Rev. Freeman, Rev. Clint Wilborn and presently Rev. Cedric Burkett.  He has always felt the concern, the love and blessings of his awesome church family.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Geneva (J.W.) Clayton of Joliet, Lee William Arrington of Long Beach, CA; mother and father-in-law, Oree (Minnie Mae) Ellis Sr. of Joliet, two stepsisters, Dorothy (Leon) Moffett of Soso, MS and Dorothy Faye Holder of Milwaukee, WI, and one stepbrother, James Barnett of Detroit, MI.

William is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Ellis-Arrington, one daughter, Kasonja Arrington (Earnest II) Anderson, one granddaughter, Indriya Arrington, one grandson, Earnest Anderson III, and one great grandson, Darieon Jermaine (DJ) Arrington; two bonus sisters and their families, Ann Blackwell of Aurora, IL and Barbara King of Joliet; two aunts, Ethel Smith and Jessie McCormick of Akron, OH; three uncles, Cliff (Melody) Gaddy of Joliet, Jessie (Mattie) Gaddy of Laurel, MS, William Gaddy of Howard Beach, N.Y.; two sisters-in-law, Daisy Barnett of Southfield, MI and Ruth Owens of Mt. Olive, MS, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

William was truly a blessed man, loving and caring of all his family and friends.  He endured many health issues towards the end of his journey, but our Lord is faithful and steadfast in His word, He will never place upon us more than we can bear.  He’s home with our Lord now and he is alright.  Thank You Lord!

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