George William "Bill" Maples, who resided in Lavaca, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011 in Charleston. He was born March 23, 1923 in Leakey, Texas to the late Isaac Maples and Georgia Inez (Silvers) Maples. He was 88 years old.

Bill was a disabled Navy veteran of WWII, receiving the Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon. He was a mechanic and member of the Lavaca First Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 1st at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Curtis Smithson officiating. Burial will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, with "Military Honors" under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Wilma of the home; two daughters, Sue Featherston and husband Ron of Lavaca and Lou Mehle and husband Kevin of Charleston; one grandchild, Cameron Mehle and three step-grandchildren, Amber Snook and Autumn and Josh Featherston.

Pallbearers will be Cameron Mehle, Josh Featherston, Thomas and Brent Douglas, Gene Clearwater, and Doug and Roma Lee Brittian.

Family will visit with friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday night at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Giddeons International or the Charleston Animal Shelter.