William Russell Downum, age 99, of Elm Springs, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord February 27, 2018. He was born February 01, 1919 in Elm Springs, Arkansas, the son of William Thomas and Martha Ellen Lovell Downum. He had served in the United States Army during WWII and spent his life as a farmer. He enjoyed his pets, gardening and collecting arrow heads. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth, his son Lanny Downum and five siblings.

He is survived by one son; Mike Downum of Elm Springs, Daughters: Beth Holcomb and husband John of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Dess Boaz and husband Bill of Montgomery, Texas, daughter-in-law; Laura Downum of Elm Springs, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 03, 2018 at the Elm Springs United Methodist Church 118 N. Elm Street, Elm Springs, Arkansas 72728 with Pastor Dixon Platt officiating under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Avenue Springdale, Arkansas 72762. Visitation will be March 03, 2018 from 9:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Burial will follow in Elm Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lanny Morgan Downum, Brent Russell Downum, Matthew Lee Downum, Dale Michael Downum, Jordan O'Neal Boaz, Buck William Downum, Grant Russell Holcomb and Nicholas Alexander Boaz.