Roll Call Tribute

William Wilson Abbott 

July 25, 1944 - March 9, 2025 

William Wilson Abbott, PhD, age 80, of London, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025. He was born July 25, 1944, in Sparkman, Ark., to Acye Wilson and Loretta Mosely Abbott.

He was active in Methodist Youth Fellowship, enjoyed high school football, and graduated from Sparkman High School in 1962. He attended the University of Arkansas where he obtained both bachelor's and master's degrees in Agriculture and Animal Nutrition. He completed his doctoral degree in Poultry Science at Texas A&M University under the mentorship of Dr. C.R. Creger, where he published 23 independent studies on poultry growth and production.

He began his career with Continental Grain in Chicago, Illinois, before an assignment as Director of Mississippi Operations in Laurel, Miss. He was active as a member of the Mississippi Poultry Federation where has served a term as Vice-Chairman. He was recruited by Tyson Foods to manage production complexes in Pine Bluff and Carthage, Texas. He was a leader in the industry, serving on the board of the Arkansas Poultry Federation and as President of the Texas Poultry Federation and Texas Broiler Council. As a complex manager, he trained many early-career poultry scientists who have gone on to have highly productive careers in the industry. Dr. Abbott completed his career with Tyson Foods as the Director of International Operations in Springdale, supervising facilities in Canada and Mexico.

William married his high school sweetheart, Judith Gale Delamar in 1964, who was at his side for 52 years until her death in 2016. He was passionate about horses and raised Champion Missouri Fox Trotters Pancho Villa A, Cardinal's Gunslinger A, and Cardinal's Gunslinger Guns & Roses A. In retirement he raised cattle and broilers with his son, William Brent Abbott in London.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Judith Gale Abbott and his parents, Acye Wilson Abbott and Loretta Mosley Abbott.

William is survived by a sister, Martha Jean Jones of Thorton; and a brother, Jimmy Abbott (Peggy) of Sparkman. In addition to his siblings, he is survived by two children, William Brent Abbott (Jamie) of London and Tanya Lee Graf (Gregory) of Lexington, Ky.; his beloved grandchildren, Lauren Graf, Charleston, S.C., David Graf, Lexington, Ky., Taylor Abbott, Tori Abbott, Sydney Abbott and Rhett Abbott, all of London; as well as numerous much-loved nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Sparkman Methodist Church, with Peggy Abbott officiating. Burial will be in Sardis Cemetery under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m., until service time and immediately following the service at the church.