Willie Nathan Harvey "Duck"

Willie Nathan Harvey, affectionately known as "Bill" to his friends and "Duck" to his family, passed away on July 02, 2026. Willie "Duck" was born December 17, 1940 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, son of the late Gertrude Thomas Harvey and Gilbert Harvey. If you ask Willie's grandchildren to describe him, they would likely tell you that he lived "The American Dream." But if you asked Willie himself, he would probably begin by telling you that he was the the middle child three, raised in a small home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He would also be quick to admit that he was never a "star student" and that school just "wasn't for him." Despite this, Willie graduated from high school (an achievement he encouraged all of his descendants to accomplish). After high school, he would soon tell his mother and father that he enlisted in the United States Marines. During his more than 10 years of service, Willie completed two tours of duty and was honorably discharged with the rank E6 Staff Sergeant. Earning the following service ribbons: Good Conduct, RVN, Campaign, Navy & Marine Corps, Combat, National Defense, Rifle Marksman, and Pistol Sharpshooter.. Following his military service, Willie joined the Baltimore Police Department in Maryland. It was there that he met Laura Elizabeth Nelson. The two soon married and welcomed two daughters during their marriage. Besides his parents, Willie was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Hopson, his sisters (Shirley and Minnie Lee), and brother-in-law (Milton).

He is survived by his daughter, Kelli (Richard) Clark; son-in-law Tony Hopson (Karen); 10 grandchildren; Sandi, Richard Brian, Jamie, Courtney, Eric, Tony Jr., Nikki Jae, Allison, Samuel and Lillian Hopson; 5 great grandchildren; Joceyln, Jayden, Jeremiah, Isabella, Thomas, Dante; 2 nieces Marquita (John) Bruner, Chrissy (Dustin) Mellinger, and nephew Alan (Rebecca) Gardner; Bonus Daughters Donna (Mitchell) Henderson and Philette Wood; 4 bonus grandchildren; David, Lakeea, Makenzie, and Sheldon. 4 bonus great grandchildren; Zoe, Calliah, GiaDonna, Carter and Aspen. In addition, Willie leaves behind many cousins and friends.

At the young age of 55, Willie retired from working for the Coca-Cola Company, where he spent the next 30 years fulfilling all of his hopes and dreams (Retirement Anniversary May 30). He would repeatedly say that he had accomplished everything he wanted to do in life: skydiving, traveling around the world, trying new foods, and doing everything his heart desired. He did not have any regrets.

Willie loved to travel, learn new things, have new experiences, fish, read, do crossword puzzles, and watch movies. He was an avid reader with a collection of over 300 books. After retiring, he began to show his creativity, building over 200 model airplanes and ceramics. He wrote several children's books, including an autobiography (all found on Amazon). He loved history and watching Maury Povich. He took advantage of his retirement years by being a wonderful grandfather, babysitting his grandchild (Eric), and taking his grandchildren to the movies. His sense of humor, ease, and calmness allowed him to befriend everyone. He believed that life was precious and not to be wasted being upset. He enjoyed making people laugh and wanted good energy all around him. His life's motto was to allow people to be themselves and stay away from them if they were an irritation; wake up each day grateful, forgetting yesterday's pain. Things were only a big deal if you made it that way. He delighted in telling his grandchildren his mistakes and lessons learned in the hope that his wisdom would give them an easy life. 

He requested cremation, and his ashes will be scattered in a private family ceremony.