PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - William "Bill" Arnold, age 96, passed away May 1, 2012 at his home in Boynton Beach, Florida under the care of Hospice of Palm Beach County and his devoted caregiver, Marilin Geffrard.
Bill was born in Cleveland, Ohio March 2, 1916, the son of Daniel "Jack" Arnold and Marian Rehmar Arnold. He and his identical twin brother Bob were the smallest twins to that date to survive in Cleveland. By age 16 he had to work to help support his family during the depression, which he did by caring for the horses of a local brewery before and after school.
After working at a "Critical industry" steel plant during World War II he became the first non-family employee of the E & J Gallo Winery, developing their sales network in the mid West. He was their regional sales manager for 40 years, until his retirement to care for his wife in her terminal illness.
Bill loved mentoring younger employees and working with young people. He was active in recruiting and mentoring minority employees for the winery, and taught bowling to developmentally disabled children. He loved skating, golf and fishing.
He is survived by his son, Daniel (Constance) Arnold of Marquette, his grandchildren David (Susan Balmer) of Grand Rapids, Michigan , and Elizabeth (Thomas Mayfield) of Cambridge, Massachusetts, his long-awaited great-grandson Richard, and his close friend, Gloria Kates. He was preceded in death by his twin brother Robert, and the love of his life, his dear wife Margaret.
A brief graveside interment service will be held at Parkview Cemetery on June 22 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to the Cancer Program at Marquette General Heath Systems.