William Joseph Gribble

William Joseph Gribble, 79, of Jonesboro, Arkansas passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 29, 2023, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 21, 1944, in Canton, Ohio to the late Carl and Olive Gribble.

Bill enjoyed his time in Ohio and still has many family members and friends that live in that area. He excelled as a basketball player and attended college at the College of Wooster (Wooster, Ohio) on scholarship. He had a stellar college basketball career and was elected to the College of Wooster’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Bill held the college’s scoring and consecutive free-throw records for many years. He loved basketball all his life and enjoyed teaching the sport to, and playing it with, his children and grandchildren.

Upon graduating from college, Bill began a career in corporate management. Over the course of his life, he served as the President of various high-level companies and as a small business owner. He was very committed to, and proud of, his business career. He spent the final 43 years of his life making Arkansas his home and raising his family with Nancy. He and his family enjoyed spending time on the water, fishing and boating, and playing highly competitive family games.

Above all, Bill’s deepest love was reserved for his family and friends.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Olive Gribble, his brother, Larry Gribble, and his beloved aunt, Dorothy Beals. He is survived by Nancy Gribble, his wife of 57 years, and his two sons, Ryan Gribble (Margaret Wong) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Eric Gribble (Emily Herndon) of Little Rock, Arkansas. His legacy lives on through five cherished grandchildren: Eyan, Kendall, Ally, Max, and Jack Gribble, who he absolutely loved and adored.

Bill will be remembered and appreciated for his love, perseverance, and devotion to family. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. The family has chosen to celebrate Bill's life with a private family ceremony to be held in Little Rock at a later date. Family and friends are invited to share condolences and memories on the online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.